Question 1

Creating a work plan requires three steps: identify the tasks that need to be accomplished, estimate the time that it will take to complete the tasks, and record the task completion time in a Gantt Chart.

Accepted Answer

Creating a work plan involves more steps than those mentioned, including setting goals, prioritizing tasks, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring progress, not just identifying tasks, estimating time, and recording in a Gantt Chart.

Question 2

Determining whether the new system will be compatible with the existing technology that already exists in the organization is part of the organizational feasibility study.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Determining whether the new system will be...

Question 3

When estimating project time schedules using industry standards for a systems project, the following values are acceptable: 15% for planning, 25% for analysis, 50% for design, and 10% for implementation.

Accepted Answer

The distribution of time across different phases of a project can vary significantly depending on the project's nature, methodology used (e.g., waterfall vs. agile), and specific industry standards. However, the allocation given (15% for planning, 25% for analysis, 50% for design, and 10% for implementation) seems unbalanced, especially with only 10% allocated for implementation, which is typically one of the most time-consuming phases.

Question 4

It is not wise to identify tasks for a current project using existing methodology, because methodologies that have been used by an organization for other projects probably will not work for this project without extensive changes.

Accepted Answer

Existing methodologies can provide a valuable starting point for identifying tasks in a current project, as they encapsulate best practices and lessons learned from previous projects, although adaptations may be necessary to fit the specific context of the new project.

Question 5

To complete a 20 person-month project in 10 months, a team should have 4 full-time staff members assigned to the project.

Accepted Answer

If a 20 person-month project is to be completed in 10 months, then the team would need to have 2 full-time staff members assigned to the project. This is because 20 person-months divided by 10 months equals 2 full-time staff members needed. Therefore, the statement is false.

Question 6

When planning a systems project, overly optimistic timetables are the cause of project completion delays.

Accepted Answer

Overly optimistic timetables can lead to unrealistic expectations and a failure to account for unforeseen obstacles, resulting in delays in project completion.

Question 7

Using typical industry standards for estimating project time schedules, the estimated analysis phase would be 10 person-months for a systems project where the planning phase was completed in 7.5 person-months.

Accepted Answer

This statement presents a reasonable estimate for the analysis phase of a systems project based on industry standards.

Question 8

Estimates from the planning stage will need to be refined as the project progresses, because it is virtually impossible to develop an exact assessment of the project's schedule before the analysis and design phases are conducted.

Accepted Answer

As more information is gathered during the analysis and design phases and as work begins on the project, the estimates will need to be adjusted to account for any unforeseen obstacles or changes in scope. This is why project management often involves ongoing monitoring and re-evaluation of schedules and timelines.

Question 9

Using typical industry standards for estimating project time schedules, the estimated analysis phase would be 25 person-months for a systems project where the planning phase was completed in 30 person-months.

Accepted Answer

The analysis phase is typically shorter than the planning phase, often estimated at around 20% of the total project time, not 25 person-months if the planning phase took 30 person-months.

Question 10

Adding staff to a project to shorten the project's length is usually a wise move, because adding staff normally translates into increased productivity.

Accepted Answer

Adding staff to a project does not always guarantee increased productivity. In fact, it can lead to communication and coordination challenges, which can actually slow the project down. Additionally, it may take time for new staff members to get up to speed, further delaying the project. The decision to add staff should be carefully evaluated based on the specific project and circumstances.

Question 11

Benefits to using computer-aided software engineering (CASE) include faster task completion and alteration, centralized development information, and illustration of information through diagrams.

Accepted Answer

Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools can help accelerate software development, simplify design modifications, and provide visual aids like diagrams to help developers understand the code they are working with. They can also provide centralization of project information, making it easier for team members to access and collaborate on.

Question 12

Timeboxing is a popular technique which sets a fixed deadline for a project and delivers the system by that deadline no matter what, even if functionality needs to be reduced.

Accepted Answer

Timeboxing is indeed a technique that sets a fixed deadline for a project and focuses on delivering the system by that deadline, even if some functionality needs to be reduced or removed.

Question 13

Using the shortcut method to determine the complexity of a systems project, a very complex system having 300 unadjusted function points would have 405 adjust function points.

Accepted Answer

According to the shortcut method, the complexity factor for a very complex system is 1.35. Therefore, the adjusted function points for a system with 300 unadjusted function points would be calculated as follows: 300 x 1.35 = 405.

Question 14

The COCOMO model to convert lines of code estimates into person-month estimates was designed by Allen Albrecht of IBM.

Accepted Answer

The COCOMO model was developed by Barry Boehm, not Allen Albrecht. Allen Albrecht is known for developing the Function Point Analysis method.

Question 15

A key factor in staffing a project involves motivating people to meet the project's objectives, and the most effective way to do this is through the use of money and bonuses.

Accepted Answer

While money and bonuses can be motivators for some people, they are not always the most effective way to motivate a team. Other factors such as recognition, opportunities for growth and development, and a sense of purpose and ownership in the project can also be powerful motivators.

Question 16

Project management is the second major component of the planning phase of the
systems development life cycle (SDLC), and it includes three steps: creating the work plan, staffing the project, and controlling and directing the project.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Project management is a key component of the planning phase of the SDLC and includes these three steps.

Question 17

One of the greatest weaknesses of systems consulting firms is that they try to apply estimates and methodologies that they have developed over time and applied to other projects, most of which are very different from the current project.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the greatest weaknesses of systems...

Question 18

The work plan records and keeps track of all of the tasks that need to be accomplished over the life of the project, listing each task, along with important information about it, such as when it needs to be completed, the person assigned to do the work, and any deliverables that will result.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the purpose and contents of a work plan.

Question 19

A function point is a measure of program size based on the number and complexity of inputs, outputs, queries, files and program interfaces.

Accepted Answer

This is a correct definition of function points.

Question 20

Project management is the process of planning and controlling the development of a system within a specified time frame at a minimum cost with the right functionality.

Accepted Answer

This is an accurate definition of project management.

Quiz 2: Project Management