Practice Exam 2 Part 3

Which of these is not an established Estimate Activity Durations technique?

• Three Point Estimating

• Parametric Estimating

• Analogous Estimating

• Critical Path Estimation

Answer explanation

Analogous, parametric, and three-point estimating techniques are all accepted practices for determining the correct amount of time required for a portion of the project. The Critical Path Analysis techniques evaluate the whole project schedule.

If you are working on a project where there is no definite detailed scope, but there are similar projects in the past, what is the correct Estimate Activity Durations tool to use?

• Analogous Estimating

• Parametric Estimating

• Critical Path Estimation

• Three Point Estimating

Answer explanation

Analogous estimation relies on comparing a project to previous projects that were similar in nature.

As project manager, you would like to show the relationship between two variables to help your project team understand the quality impact better. Which tool should you use?

• Scatter Diagram

• Run Chart

• Fishbone Diagram

• Pareto Chart

Answer explanation

A scatter diagram plots several occurrences of two variables (one on each axis). Often a relationship between the two variables can then be determined, based on how closely they fit a geometric model.

A project manager feels the need of updating one of the project supplier contracts to meet the project’s current needs. However, before any change requests, the project manager must know the right process to incorporate a change into this specific contract. What should he do first?

• Issue the change request and get it approved through Integrated Change Control process

• Update the project procurements management plan

• Review the change request handling procedure as documented in the contract itself

• Review alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures in the contract

Answer explanation

The first step should be to gather enough information so that the right decision and course of action can be determined. The second step should be to issue a change request and follow its approval. The project manager must first review the change request handling procedure specific to the contract and that can be found in the procurement contract itself.

The objective of a transformation project is to move an organization from one state to another state. The desired result of the change driven by the project is described as the:

• Good state

• Future state

• Happy state

• Transition state

Answer explanation

Before the project begins, the organization is commonly referred to as being in the current state. The desired result of the change derived by the project is described as the future state.

The term Progressive Elaboration incorrectly represents which of the following?

• Changes to project scope

• Rolling wave planning

• Detailing out the product requirements developed during the initiation process.

• Production of fabrication and construction drawings from the design drawings for a chemical plant.

Answer explanation

The distinction between progressive elaboration and scope creep needs to be understood since the two terms are different. The changes to scope (especially in an uncontrolled manner) are called scope creep. In contrast, progressive elaboration involves building on or elaborating the output of a previous phase.

Which document describes the project's deliverables and the work required to create those deliverables?

• Project authorization document

• Project scope statement

• Project scope management plan

• Project charter

Answer explanation

The project scope statement is the correct response. This document describes the project's deliverables in detail and the work that is required to create those deliverables. It also forms the baseline for evaluating whether requests for changes are within or outside the project's boundaries.

During a presentation to management, you want to display the project schedule with only the key deliverables displayed. What is the correct tool for this purpose?

• Project schedule network diagram

• Critical path network

• Milestone chart

• Critical chain diagram

Answer explanation

A milestone chart displays only the key deliverables and is simple and easy to understand.

Henry is the project manager for a process improvement project. Henry is a recently hired Six Sigma expert. David is the process owner of the process Henry must optimize. During the project kick-start meeting with the project sponsor, David said he supports all continuous improvement efforts. However, David is unaware of the Six Sigma technique and feels threatened by the newly hired expert, and as a result, is blocking Henry’s ideas. What is David’s current engagement level with the project?

• Unaware

• Supportive

• Resistant

• Neutral

Answer explanation

Although David claims that he is supportive of all improvement initiatives, his behavior is not coherent with his claim. Since David is blocking Henry’s idea, he is in effect, resistant of the project.

Which of these items are important to address when determining each person's role in the project team?

• Role, authority, responsibility, and competency

• Role, responsibility, and competency

• Role and responsibility

• Role, authority, and competency

Answer explanation

All four of these are important to consider when considering someone for a position within the project team: Role, authority, responsibility, and competency.