Project Management Concepts and Trends
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Questions and Answers

When evaluating the direct objectives of a project, which metric is LEAST likely to be considered by managers according to recent research?

  • The potential for opening new opportunities in the future
  • Adherence to the iron triangle constraints (correct)
  • Effect on the end customer
  • The project's impact on the budget
  • When adhering to the objectives now suggest managers should use three measures, which of the following is one of those measures?

  • Project investment success (correct)
  • The iron triangle
  • Project time success
  • Project ownership success
  • Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of project management trends?

  • Consistent and routine achievement of established goals
  • Emphasis on achieving strategic organizational goals
  • Increasing number of virtual projects
  • Decreasing role of project managers (correct)
  • What type of project is characterized by global teams working across different physical locations and time zones?

    <p>A virtual project (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is LEAST likely to be a driving force behind the emergence of project management in contemporary society?

    <p>Accessibility to vast amounts of information via the Internet (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phases of a project typically require the MOST overall effort?

    <p>Planning, scheduling, monitoring, and control (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The 'stretched-S' project lifecycle pattern is mainly attributed to what factor?

    <p>Changing resource allocation throughout the project (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Earned value analysis relies on the principle that project completion percentage is closely related to:

    <p>The project's cost or resource utilization (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which stage of team development do team members typically begin establishing norms and cohesiveness, reconciling behaviors, and developing trust?

    <p>Norming (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the Tuckman ladder model, what characterizes the 'Storming' phase of project development?

    <p>The team is working independently leading to conflict. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following methods is most commonly used to acquire workers for a project?

    <p>Borrowing resources from existing in-house functional departments (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which attribute is LEAST likely to be specifically recommended for consideration when selecting new members for a project team?

    <p>Having low self-esteem to ensure compliance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which trait is generally considered not important for contributing effectively within a project team?

    <p>Having a strong sense of self (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of 'scope creep' in the context of project management?

    <p>A incremental and uncontrolled expansion of the project's requirements (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which situation generally represents one of the most significant crises a project manager can face?

    <p>An alteration in the project's scope (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following phases is NOT a part of the Tuckman ladder model of team development?

    <p>Mourning (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an Agile framework, who is primarily responsible for directly engaging with customers to thoroughly understand their needs and translate them into actionable requirements?

    <p>Product Owner, who defines the product vision and manages the product backlog. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Within an Agile development team, which role is responsible for updating the sprint backlog at the end of each day to reflect completed work and estimate remaining hours for in-process tasks?

    <p>Developers, who are actively involved in task execution and progress tracking. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which role within an Agile team possesses deep expertise in the Scrum framework, Agile methodologies, and various agile techniques, guiding the team in adopting best practices?

    <p>Scrum Master, who serves as a facilitator and removes impediments. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most significant technical challenge a project manager faces when trying to balance project constraints without compromising performance?

    <p>Meeting schedule and cost goals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At which stage of the project life cycle do project priorities typically have the most significant impact and require the most careful consideration?

    <p>Earlier (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which behavior in a project manager is most likely to correlate with unsuccessful project management outcomes, hindering the team's ability to overcome obstacles and make timely decisions?

    <p>Conflict avoidance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Dewhurst, what term accurately describes a group of individuals who work independently, without a shared purpose or integrated approach?

    <p>Name-only team (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is used to describe the practice of delegating tasks or portions of a project to smaller, independent contractors who specialize in specific areas?

    <p>Subcontracting (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement does not reflect a major disadvantage of using the matrix approach?

    <p>The project manager takes responsibility for managing the project. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organizational structure should be chosen when a project requires inputs from several functional areas but does not need full-time specialists?

    <p>Matrix (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which organizational structure does the project manager have the highest authority?

    <p>Projectized (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organizational structure provides the highest resource availability?

    <p>Projectized (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which structure is the project manager likely to be part-time?

    <p>Functional (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is the project administrative staff typically full-time?

    <p>Projectized (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of project is characterized by crossing time, space, organizational, and cultural boundaries?

    <p>Virtual (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many team members should approximately be 'boundary spanners' in a virtual team?

    <p>6-7 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach prioritizes the customer as the top priority followed by the team and then scope?

    <p>Agile project management (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach prioritizes schedule as the top priority followed by scope and then team?

    <p>Traditional waterfall approach (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach includes measures of success such as value, quality, and constraints?

    <p>Agile project management (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach commonly measures success through cost, schedule, and scope?

    <p>Traditional waterfall approach (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of coordinating the work and timing of different groups in multidisciplinary teams called?

    <p>Integration management (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option describes a plan for allocating resources?

    <p>A budget (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a project budget is over funded, what is a likely outcome?

    <p>Produce waste and encourage slack management (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does underfunding a project budget often have on stakeholders?

    <p>Frustrate committed stakeholders (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element of principled negotiation emphasizes the importance of using fair standards to determine the quality of an outcome?

    <p>Insisting on using objective criteria. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does understanding the other party's interests contribute to successful negotiation?

    <p>It allows for the suggestion of solutions that meet their needs without necessarily agreeing with their stated position. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In project management, which aspect is LEAST likely to be the primary source of conflict, according to the authors?

    <p>Whether the task will be completed. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To prevent conflicts from becoming personal, what is recommended?

    <p>Clearly articulate the substantive issue. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a core component of principled negotiation?

    <p>Generating solutions for mutual benefit before seeking agreement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which is not one of the reasons for project-oriented organizations’ rapid growth?

    <p>Low prices and low incremental costs have become absolute requirements for successful competition. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During a negotiation, both parties are pushing for opposing solutions but seem unwilling to budge. How can the negotiator best overcome this deadlock, according to the principles discussed?

    <p>By exploring the underlying needs and motivations of both parties to discover common objectives. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what instance is it suitable to mention a conflict to the opposing party?

    <p>When you are ready to define the substantive problem. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    The Iron Triangle

    A model in project management focusing on the balancing of scope, time, and cost.

    Not a project success measure

    Project time success is not a recognized measure of project success.

    Owner of PMBOK Guidebook

    The Project Management Institute (PMI) publishes the PMBOK Guidebook.

    Trend Not in Project Management

    Decreasing importance of project managers is not a trend in project management.

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    Virtual Project

    A project involving global teams in different locations and time zones.

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    Forces Not Paramount in Management

    Access to information via the internet is not a primary force in project management evolution.

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    Stretched-S Pattern Cause

    The stretched-S pattern is mainly due to changing resource levels during the project lifecycle.

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    Most Effort in Project Phase

    The largest effort in a project occurs during planning, scheduling, monitoring, and control.

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    Forming Phase

    The initial stage where team members learn their roles.

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    Norming Phase

    The phase where team norms develop and trust builds.

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    Storming Phase

    A phase where conflict arises as project work begins.

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    Scope Creep

    An uncontrolled change in project requirements.

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    Key Crisis for Project Managers

    Change in required project scope is a major concern.

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    Characteristics of Effective Team Members

    Important traits include high technical skills and sensitivity.

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    Phases of Tuckman Ladder

    The model includes forming, storming, and norming.

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    Hiring New Team Members

    Focus should be on skills and orientation, not low self-esteem.

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    Separate the people from the problem

    A principle stating that negotiators should focus on issues, not personal conflicts.

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    Focus on interests, not positions

    Encourages negotiators to understand underlying needs instead of fixed stances.

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    Invent options for mutual gain

    The principle of brainstorming solutions that benefit both parties before deciding.

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    Insist on using objective criteria

    The practice of relying on standards that are fair rather than subjective opinions.

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    Substantive problem definition

    Identifying the core issue to avoid escalating interpersonal conflict during negotiations.

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    Nature of project negotiation

    Most project-related conflicts arise from different perceptions rather than task completion.

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    Four points of principled negotiation

    Includes: separate people from the problem, focus on interests, invent options, and use objective criteria.

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    Growth of project-oriented organizations

    Factors driving the rise in project-oriented firms centered around specialization and competitive pricing.

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    Matrix Approach Disadvantage

    The project manager takes responsibility for managing the project is not considered a major disadvantage.

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    Best Structure for Integration

    The matrix structure is ideal for projects needing integration from various functional areas without full-time specialists.

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    Highest Authority Structure

    Projectized organizational structure gives the project manager the highest level of authority.

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    Resource Availability Structure

    Projectized structure maximizes the availability of resources.

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    Ownership of Project Budget

    In a projectized structure, the project manager has ownership over the project budget.

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    Part-time Project Manager Structure

    Functional structure means the project manager works part-time.

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    Full-time Administrative Staff

    In a projectized structure, the project administrative staff operates full-time.

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    Characteristic of Virtual Projects

    Virtual projects can cross time, space, organizational, and cultural boundaries.

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    Agile project management

    An approach prioritizing customer needs and team collaboration over strict schedules.

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    Traditional waterfall approach

    A linear project management method prioritizing schedule, then scope and team.

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    Customer priority in project management

    In Agile, the customer is prioritized above team and scope.

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    Schedule priority in project management

    In Waterfall, the schedule is the top priority, followed by scope and team.

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    Measures of success: Agile

    Success in Agile is based on value, quality, and constraints.

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    Measures of success: Waterfall

    Success in Waterfall is measured by cost, schedule, and scope.

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    Integration management

    The process of coordinating work among multidisciplinary teams in projects.

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    Consequences of project budget overfunding

    Overfunding can lead to waste and encourage slack management.

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    Product Owner

    The person who works with customers to understand their needs in Agile.

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    Responsibilities of Developers

    Developers create new products or improve existing ones in Agile.

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    Daily Task Prioritization

    Developers select the next task based on priorities after completing a task.

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    Scrum Master Expertise

    The Scrum master has deep knowledge of the Scrum framework and Agile techniques.

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    Project Manager's Challenge

    Meeting schedule and cost goals without compromising performance.

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    Project Life Cycle Focus

    Project priorities are more critical in the earlier stages of the project lifecycle.

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    Name-only Team

    A group of individuals working independently without collaboration.

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    Subcontracting

    The practice of outsourcing tasks to smaller contractors or vendors.

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    Study Notes

    Project Management Forces

    • Three forces combine to require teams for problem-solving: explosion in certified project managers, worldwide acceptance of the Project Management Institute (PMI), and interaction of supply and demand.
    • The evolution of worldwide competitive markets for goods and services is not one of the forces identified.
    • The overwhelming majority of projects are small.

    Project Examples

    • A house is not an example of a project and would usually not be considered a project.
    • Assembly line manufacturing of automobiles is an example of not usual project.
    • Developing computer software and hosting a wedding reception are considered projects.

    Project Management Objectives

    • Scope, cost, and time are the prime objectives of project management.
    • Quality, scope, schedule and customer satisfaction are not the prime objectives.
    • Customer satisfaction and budget are not the prime objectives.

    Project Dimensions

    • Four dimensions of project success are: Project efficiency, business impact on the organization, opening new opportunities for the future and cost to the customer.
    • Number of people working on the project is not one of the four dimensions of project success.
    • Outcome of a project could change over time but is not a characteristic of all projects.
    • All projects have a finite duration.

    Non-Project Examples

    • The delivery of mail and production of weekly employment reports are not considered projects.

    Key Players in Project Management

    • The military has played a significant role in the development of project management techniques.
    • European navigators, trader community, and brokerage firms are not identified as key players in project development.

    Shenhar's Dimensions of Success

    • Shenhar defines four dimensions of project success : the iron triangle, impact on the customer, opening new opportunities for the future and the impact on the budget.

    Recent Research on Project Management

    • Recent research suggests three important measures for managing projects: the iron triangle, project ownership success, and project investment success.
    • Project time success is not one of the measures.

    Project Management Organization

    • The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the organization responsible for maintaining and publishing the PMBOK Guidebook.

    Project Types

    • A virtual project involves global teams working across different physical locations and time zones.

    Project Characteristics

    • The "stretched-S" pattern during the project lifecycle is primarily due to changing levels of resources used in successive stages.

    Project Effort

    • The majority of effort in a project occurs during the planning, scheduling, monitoring, and control phases.

    Earned Value

    • Earned value is closely correlated with the cost or use of resources.

    Agile Approaches

    • Agile approaches to projects are generally characterized by dividing the projects into iterations and relying on lean management principles for emphasis on simplicity.

    Scrum Roles

    • Product owner, developers, and Scrum master are three specific team roles associated with scrum frameworks.
    • Scrum lord is not a specific scrum role.

    Goal Setting Theory

    • Goal setting theory identifies three characteristics of effective goals: specificity, attainability and comprehensive reflection of stakeholder views.
    • Requiring "stretching" to meet stakeholder goals is not one of the identified characteristics.

    Project Success Measures

    • Generic measures of any project's success include outputs meeting the iron triangle specifications, successful completion of business case objectives and successful investments.
    • Project was fully funded is not a generic measure for success.

    Project Termination

    • Project termination may occur when a project exceeds its budget or falls behind schedule or when the project manager is terminated.
    • Termination also occurs when the boss feels the project has failed.

    Project Selection Criteria

    • Criteria for project selection that focuses on how new products fit an existing product line is production line extension.

    Project Selection Criteria

    • A project selection criteria that focuses on environmental and social issues is sustainability.

    Project Evaluation

    • Payback period is a numeric model.
    • Sacred cow is not a numeric model.

    Project Costing Model

    • A project with a $12,000 implementation cost and $3,000 annual cash flow has a four-year payback period.

    Project Interest Rate

    • The minimum acceptable rate of return set by an organization for a project is called a hurdle rate.

    Real Options Approach

    • The premise of the real options approach is that delaying an investment may lead to potentially greater returns.

    Discounted Cash Flow Approach

    • The discounted cash flow approach is simple, understands available data, allows for adjustment of project risk, but may have inaccurate data.

    Project Selection Models

    • A project profitability model, like a discounted cash flow, might not account for risk factors, time value of money, or non-monetary factors and is strongly biased toward short term solutions.
    • Project selection models should account for project realism.

    Project Success Factors

    • Characteristics of highly successful strategic projects include exceptional value for stakeholders, a powerful vision, and qualified project managers unconditionally supported by top management.
    • Creating a satisfied project culture is not listed as a characteristic of highly successful strategic projects.

    Project Team Development

    • The Tuckman ladder describes four stages of team development: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing.
    • The stages describe how teams go from initial independent work in the forming stage to working together as a cohesive unit for the project's completion in the performing stage.

    Project Team Members

    • Teams might be comprised of temporary agencies or borrowed/transferred functional departments.

    Project Management Characteristics

    • Effective project managers possess strong technical skills, handle political sensitivity, and have high self-esteem.

    Project Scope Creep

    • Scope creep involves changes in the project's scope or requirements after project initiation and is a source of frequent projects crises.

    Project Planning Approach

    • One planning approach for handling complex projects is to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
    • Project leadership includes gaining knowledge of the client to complete the task.

    Core Project Management Duties

    • Project managers are heavily involved in communicating, overseeing, and motivating staff.

    Project Manager Skills

    • Essential skills for project managers include negotiation, resolving conflicts, and taking care of budgetary and scheduling issues among varied organizational areas.

    Project Management Roles

    • A critical project role is to maintain a broad network of communication.

    Stakeholder Management

    • Identifying stakeholders, creating a stakeholder register that includes project stage interest, and effectively communicating with stakeholders is part of establishing a well-managed project.

    Project Methodology

    • Expert judgement of project teams, user surveys, and corporate guidelines are common methods for identifying stakeholders.

    Standard Project Management Procedures

    • Project managers need to develop a project plan, establish a cost baseline, communicate project results, and organize project teams by a clear plan and hierarchical structure.
    • Project teams need members from various disciplinary backgrounds, and communication among their members needs to be supported.

    Project Lifecycle

    • Thamhain suggests project conflict intensity is highest in the early phases of the project concerning priorities or cost versus time. Toward the end of the project lifecycle, conflict increases with scheduling issues.

    Project Budgeting and Costing

    • In budgeting, the project manager is expected to predict costs, forecast resources, and ensure accuracy.
    • A variety of project budgeting strategies are used.

    Project Risk Management

    • Project managers need to know about all types of risks (preventable and unpreventable).

    Project Planning Processes

    • Four steps in risk management planning involve determining risks and analyzing responses.

    Project Management Tools

    • Techniques in quantitative risk analysis include decision tree analysis, Monte Carlo simulation.

    Project Management Processes

    • Risk identification, response planning, monitoring, and control are critical steps in project risk management.

    Project Outcomes

    • A Risk Management Register is used to keep track of risks.

    Methods for Project Coordination

    • Project managers coordinate work and timing of diverse, interdisciplinary teams using methods such as integration management.

    Project Budget

    • Project budgets are an integral part of project management, setting the limits on the resources used.

    Project Management Estimators

    • Professional project cost estimators work closely with clients to maintain budget accuracy.

    Project Scope

    • A project's scope describes the precise work to be completed.
    • Scope creep involves ongoing changes to project objectives.

    Project Launch Meetings

    • Project launch meetings play a key role in aligning stakeholders and clarifying expectations.

    Agile Project Management

    • Agile principles value customer satisfaction and feedback with continuous delivery of results.
    • Agile projects utilize efficient methods of communication and short-term iterations.

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    Description

    This quiz evaluates key concepts and trends in project management, including metrics for objectives, team development, and the complexities of global projects. Test your understanding of the vital aspects that shape contemporary project management practices.

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