Organizational Influences Quiz

The five process groups of the Project Management Life cycle are, in order:

• Initiating, Executing, Planning, Monitor and Control, Closing

• Initiating, Analysing, Designing, Executing, Closing

• Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing

• Initiating, Planning, Monitoring and Controlling, Validating, Closing

You have just started a new position as a project manager with your new company. Upon starting your job you are informed by the line manager that all budgetary decisions rest with her and that all key project decisions will be her responsibility as well. Most likely, PMI would say you are functioning as a ______________?

• Resource coordinator

• Project manager

• Functional expediter

• Project coordinator

The project manager that you just hired said that she came from a Projectized organization prior to working for your company. Your VP just asked you what that means in terms of her level of authority. You responded:

• she had responsibility for the project but not for the budget

• she had little responsibility for the project or the budget

• she split the project and budget responsibilities with the functional manager

• she was responsible for the budget and the project almost 100%

Two junior project managers who are working on the same project are having a heated discussion (an argument) on the difference between the project management life cycle and the project life cycle. The first project manager is saying there is essentially no difference between the two while the second project manager is saying that there is a significant difference between the two. While this debate is occurring, a senior vice president from your division interrupts the two and asks them the following question: "When the project is completed what is the expected lifetime of the deliverable?" Essentially, what is the vice president asking them?

• He is asking about the status of the project life cycle

• He is asking about the status of the project management life cycle

• He is asking about the status of the product

• He is trying to determine if they understand life cycle costing

What is the BEST definition for a project manager's role on the project?

• Take instruction and direction from functional managers

• Assigned by the organization to achieve project objectives

• Balance stakeholder interests on the project

• Effectively manage the project team while also being an expert technical resource

Your project team has been assigned to work full-time on your current project. In terms of project team composition, this is best described as a _______________________ project team.

• Projectized

• Composite

• Focused

• Dedicated

You have just gotten a new job within an organization that can't spell ‘project management’ much less figure out how to run a project. Their project management process has been described by some in the organization as an 'adrenaline pounding thrill-ride usually resulting in a train wreck'. At your project kick-off meeting a number of the team members have expressed dismay at how the last project was managed and ask if this one will be just like the last one. In terms of the project approach, what is the BEST response you can offer?

• As the project manager, you will protect the team from executive interference

• You will take a life-cycle approach to managing the project

• You will ask the project team for a list of difficult stakeholders so that you can defuse problems before they begin.

• Your project management approach is calm, cool, and collected

The Director of Product Development and the chief engineer of the company have decided to add scope to the project you are managing. They have completed the necessary paperwork, received the required sign-offs and have told you to simply get it done. In this instance you are probably:

• In a strong matrix environment

• Project administrator

• Working a balanced matrix function

• Project expediter

The project team has been arguing about what should go into the project management plan. They've built the same product over a hundred times before and have always been bothered that the project management plan never seemed to get completed. They were determined to get it done right this time. The team has come to you for advice regarding the project management plan. The most appropriate response you can give them is:

• Use project phase concepts ; initiate, plan, execute, monitor & control, and close

• They need training in project management

• The ‘project’ is really operations

• Tell them to take direction from the PMO

Management by Objectives is most successful when:

• The organization's executives stay out of the way of the project team

• Management delegates the work of the organization to the most senior project managers

• You were managing projects in the 1950s. Technique is rarely used now

• It is supported by upper management