Chapter 1

Question 1

Closing

Answer 1

This is the last of the five project management process groups. Closing brings a formal, orderly end to the activities of a project phase or to the project itself. All the project information is gathered and archived for future reference. Contract closeout occurs here, and formal acceptance and approval are obtained from project stakeholders.

Question 2

Executing

Answer 2

This is the third of the project management process groups. The Executing process group involves putting the project management plan into action, including coordinating and directing project resources to meet the objectives of the project plan. The Executing processes ensure that the project plan stays on track and that future execution of project plans stays in line with project objectives.

Question 3

Initiating

Answer 3

This is the first project management process group and generally the first phase of a project life cycle. It acknowledges that the project, or the next phase in an active project, should begin.

Question 4

Monitor & Controlling

Answer 4

This is the fourth project management process group. The Monitoring and Controlling process group involves taking performance measurements and analyzing them to determine whether the project is staying true to the project plan. Corrective action is applied where necessary to get the project activities realigned with the project plan.

Question 5

Planning

Answer 5

This is the second project management process group. The Planning process group consists of processes that involve formulating and revising project goals and objectives and creating the project management plan that will be used to achieve the goals the project was undertaken to address. Planning involves determining alternative courses of action and selecting from among the best of those to produce the project’s goals. The Planning process group is where the project requirements are determined and stakeholders are identified

Question 6

Balanced Matrix

Answer 6

This is a type of organizational structure where power is balanced between project managers and functional managers.

Question 7

Co-location & co-located

Answer 7

This is a tool and technique in which team members physically work at the same location or hold project meetings in a common area such as a war room.

Question 8

deliverable

Answer 8

This is a measurable outcome, measurable result, or specific item that must be produced to consider the project or project phase completed. Deliverables are tangible and can be measured and easily proved.

Question 9

fast tracking

Answer 9

This is a schedule compression technique where two activities that were previously scheduled to start sequentially start at the same time. Fast tracking reduces schedule duration if applied to the critical path.

Question 10

feasibility study

Answer 10

Feasibility studies are undertaken to determine whether the project is a viable project, the probability of project success, and the viability of the product of the project.

Question 11

functional organization

Answer 11

This is a form of organizational structure. Functional organizations are traditional organizations with hierarchical reporting structures. The functional manager traditionally has more authority in this type of organization than the project manager has.

Question 12

handoffs

Answer 12

This is the process of ending one project life cycle phase and beginning the next.

Question 13

iterative

Answer 13

This describes processes that are repeated. The five process groups are repeated throughout the project’s life because of change requests, responses to change, corrective action, and so on.

Question 14

leaders

Answer 14

impart vision, gain consensus for strategic goals, establish direction, and inspire and motivate others.

Question 15

managers

Answer 15

…focus on results and are concerned with getting the job done according to the requirements

Question 16

matrix organization

Answer 16

This is a form of organizational structure. Employees in a …organization report to one functional manager and at least one project manager. Functional managers assign employees to projects and carry out administrative duties, while project managers assign tasks associated with the project to team members and execute the project

Question 17

operations

Answer 17

These are ongoing endeavors typically involving repetitive processes that produce the same results.

Question 18

politics

Answer 18

This is a technique used to influence people to perform. It involves getting groups of people with different interests to cooperate creatively even in the midst of conflict and disorder.

Question 19

portfolio management

Answer 19

This is the management of collections of programs and projects to meet and maximize the strategic objectives of the business. It involves monitoring active projects, balancing the portfolio among other investments, assuring efficient use of resources, and assessing the value of projects and potential projects against the portfolio’s strategic objectives

Question 20

portfolio

Answer 20

This is a collection of projects or programs that meet a specific business goal or objective.

Question 21

power

Answer 21

This is a technique used to influence people to perform. It’s the ability to get people to do things they wouldn’t do otherwise, to change minds and the course of events, and to influence outcomes.

Question 22

product scope & product scope description

Answer 22

This is a description of the product features and functionality that describes the characteristics of the end product

Question 23

program management

Answer 23

…is the central management and coordination of groups of related projects and operations work to obtain benefits and administer controls that aren’t possible when the projects and operations are managed individually to achieve the program’s strategic objectives

Question 24

program

Answer 24

This is a grouping of projects that are managed together. The individual projects are usually part of one bigger project and are, therefore, related.

Question 25

progressive elaboration

Answer 25

This is the process of taking incremental steps to examine and refine the characteristics of the product of the project. Processes may be progressively elaborated as well.

Question 26

project life cycle

Answer 26

This is the grouping of project phases in a sequential order from the beginning of the project to the close.

Question 27

project management

Answer 27

This is the process that’s used to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close out projects by applying skills, knowledge, and project management tools and techniques to fulfill the project requirements.

Question 28

project management office (PMO)

Answer 28

This is the office established by organizations to create and maintain procedures and standards for project management methodologies to be used throughout the organization.

Question 29

project manager

Answer 29

This is the person responsible for applying the skills, knowledge, and project management tools and techniques to the project activities in order to successfully complete the project objectives.

Question 30

project scope

Answer 30

...describes the work required to produce the product or the service of the project. This includes the requirements of the product, which describe the features and functionality of the product or service

Question 31

project sponsor

Answer 31

This is usually an executive in the organization. The project sponsor has the authority to assign resources and enforce decisions regarding the project. They are typically the escalation path for issues on a project.

Question 32

projectized organization

Answer 32

This is a type of organizational structure focused on projects. Project managers generally have ultimate authority over the project. Sometimes, supporting departments such as human resources and accounting might report to the project manager. Project managers are responsible for making project decisions and acquiring and assigning resources.

Question 33

project

Answer 33

are temporary in nature; have definite start and end dates; create a unique product, service, or result; and are completed when the goals and objectives of the project have been met.

Question 34

stakeholder

Answer 34

This is an organization or person who has a vested interest in the project and stands to gain or lose something as a result of the project.

Question 35

tailoring

Answer 35

This means determining which processes and process groups should be performed for the project. The project manager and project team should take into consideration the size and complexity of the project and the various inputs and outputs of each of the processes when determining which ones to perform. It’s generally accepted that performing all five process groups is good practice for any project.