Question 1

A partnering charter states the common goals for the project as well as the procedures that will be used to achieve these goals.

Accepted Answer

A partnering charter is a document that outlines the common goals of a project and the procedures that will be used to achieve these goals, facilitating collaboration and alignment among project partners.

Question 2

It is a good idea to add a penalty clause to an outsourcing agreement to ensure that work is completed on time.

Accepted Answer

A penalty clause in an outsourcing agreement can serve as a deterrent against delays, ensuring that the service provider is motivated to complete the work on time and maintain the quality of service as agreed upon.

Question 3

In some countries, laws are considered to be guidelines that are not necessarily followed.

Accepted Answer

In some countries, particularly those with weak rule of law, laws may exist on paper but are not strictly enforced or are applied selectively, effectively serving more as guidelines than absolute rules.

Question 4

It is rare in today's flat world to find important projects that are being completed totally in-house.

Accepted Answer

With globalization and the rise of digital collaboration tools, it has become more common for projects to involve external partners, contractors, or remote teams, making purely in-house projects less frequent.

Question 5

Working in outsourcing teams, projects can be completed faster and more cheaply.

Accepted Answer

Outsourcing allows companies to tap into a global talent pool, often at a lower cost due to differences in living costs and salaries. It also enables around-the-clock work on projects by leveraging time zone differences, potentially speeding up completion times.

Question 6

When using the partnering approach to manage contracted relationships, each party's goals and objectives are similar but geared to what is best for them.

Accepted Answer

In the partnering approach to manage contracted relationships, the focus is on aligning both parties' goals and objectives towards mutual benefits and success, rather than what is best for each individually.

Question 7

In project negotiation each negotiator is out to win as much as he or she can for his or her side.

Accepted Answer

Effective project negotiation often involves finding mutually beneficial solutions that satisfy the needs of all parties involved, rather than adopting a win-lose approach.

Question 8

When using the partnering approach to manage contracted relationships, access to each other's organization resources is available.

Accepted Answer

In the partnering approach to managing contracted relationships, both parties often agree to share resources, including access to each other's organization's resources, to foster collaboration, trust, and mutual benefits.

Question 9

Experience indicates that co-location of project teams is not worth the extra costs.

Accepted Answer

Co-location of project teams can significantly enhance communication, collaboration, and problem-solving among team members, often leading to more efficient and successful project outcomes, which can justify the extra costs.

Question 10

Trust can be difficult to forge when interactions are limited and people come from different organizations.

Accepted Answer

Trust building is often challenged by limited interactions and organizational diversity, as these factors can hinder the development of mutual understanding and shared experiences essential for trust.

Question 11

Co-location is less relevant for independent work that does not require ongoing coordination between professionals from different organizations.

Accepted Answer

Co-location is more relevant for work that requires frequent, ongoing coordination and collaboration among team members, which is less characteristic of independent work that does not involve continuous interaction with professionals from different organizations.

Question 12

Principled negotiation emphasizes developing win / win solutions while protecting yourself against those who would take advantage of your forthrightness.

Accepted Answer

Principled negotiation, as outlined in "Getting to Yes" by Fisher and Ury, focuses on finding mutually beneficial outcomes (win/win) and includes strategies to protect against exploitation, ensuring that one's openness and honesty are not used against them.

Question 13

Increased conflict and loss of coordination are typical disadvantages of outsourcing project work.

Accepted Answer

Outsourcing project work can lead to increased conflict and loss of coordination due to differences in organizational culture, priorities, and communication styles between the hiring company and the outsourced provider.

Question 14

In the traditional method of managing projects, total company involvement requires commitment from CEO to team members.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the traditional method of managing projects,...

Question 15

Toyota and DaimlerChrysler collaborating with suppliers to develop new automobile platforms is an example of outsourcing.

Accepted Answer

Outsourcing is the practice of contracting out a business process to a third-party provider. In this case, Toyota and DaimlerChrysler are collaborating with suppliers to develop new automobile platforms, which is an example of outsourcing.

Question 16

Project managers need to have the capability to manage customer expectations and perceptions.

Accepted Answer

Project managers must manage customer expectations and perceptions to ensure project success, maintain customer satisfaction, and foster positive relationships.

Question 17

A prime consideration in choosing outsourcing vendors is to assess the fit with their project management system.

Accepted Answer

Assessing the fit with an outsourcing vendor's project management system is crucial to ensure that their processes, communication methods, and project management tools align with the client's expectations and requirements for successful project execution.

Question 18

Conflict is inevitable on a project; however, if it is handled effectively, it can elevate performance.

Accepted Answer

Conflict, when managed well, can lead to problem-solving, innovation, and improved team dynamics, thereby elevating project performance.

Question 19

In order to keep the customer happy and to keep perceptions about performance high, it is acceptable to falsely assure customers that everything is on track, especially if you feel that the problem will be resolved soon.

Accepted Answer

Misleading customers by providing false assurances can damage trust and credibility, leading to dissatisfaction and potential loss of business in the long run. It's better to communicate honestly and manage expectations.

Question 20

Participants from different organizations working closely together at the construction site or in shared office space are an example of a virtual team.

Accepted Answer

A virtual team refers to a group of individuals who work together from different geographic locations and rely on communication technology such as email, video or voice conferencing services, and messaging apps to collaborate. Participants working closely together at a construction site or in shared office space are examples of a traditional, co-located team, not a virtual team.

Quiz 12: Outsourcing: Managing Interorganizational Relations