1) Which of these countries is NOT identified in the text as having a developing economy with a substantial market?
A) Russia
B) China
C) India
D) Europe
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
2) Low inflation is a trigger for improved project management skills because:
A) Rampant cost increases must be passed along to the consumer.
B) Internal process improvement is accomplished via project management.
C) Lower inflation means narrower product launch windows.
D) Global markets are a prerequisite for low inflation.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
3) Projects, rather than repetitive tasks, are now the basis for most value-added in business.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section: 1.0 Introduction
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
4) The emergence of global markets has made project management skills more critical.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
5) Since a business gains market share with day-to-day operations, senior managers value process management experience over project management experience.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
6) What roles do traditional process management duties of planning, organizing, and controlling play in project management, if any?
Answer: The traditional managerial duties of planning, organizing, and controlling all apply to project management. Project managers must be technically well versed, proficient at administrative functions, willing and able to assume leadership roles, and above-all, goal oriented. The project manager is the person most responsible for keeping track of the big picture
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
7) Why is project management challenging?
Answer: Projects present challenges for a number of reasons; by their nature they are often dramatic departures from the routine process-oriented work that employees are accustomed to. Projects face budget, time, and resource constraints and these resources must often be marshaled from across the organization.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
8) Why are projects important?
Answer: Today's businesses face a set of pressures that make projects crucial in helping an organization achieve its strategic goals. These pressures include shortened product life cycles, narrow product launch windows, increasingly complex and technical products, the emergence of global markets, and an economic period marked by low inflation.
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
9) Why is project management considered an excellent training ground for future senior executives in many organizations?
Answer: One of the unique aspects of projects is their unique blend of technical and behavioral challenges. The technical side of project management requires managers to become skilled in project selection, budgeting and resource management, planning and scheduling, and tracking their projects. The behavioral side of project management requires project managers to bring together individuals from across the organization, mold them into a team, manage conflict, provide leadership, and engage in negotiation and appropriate political behavior.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.1: Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
10) A project typically has:
A) A defined start and end date.
B) A defined start date but no defined end date.
C) No defined start but a defined end date.
D) No defined start or end date.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
11) The Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide definition of a project indicates that a project is:
A) Multifunctional.
B) Permanent.
C) Designed to avoid using human resources.
D) Not limited by a budget.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
12) The acronym PMBoK stands for:
A) The Personal Management Before or Kernel.
B) The Project Movement Behind our Kernel.
C) The Project Management Body of Knowledge.
D) The Performance Measurement Body of Knowledge.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
13) Project members may be from:
A) Different departments.
B) Other organizational units.
C) One functional area.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
14) There is no such thing as a project team:
A) With a deliverable.
B) With an ongoing, non-specific purpose.
C) With a goal.
D) With a project manager.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
15) A project that results in "doing the wrong things well" has ignored the:
A) Budgetary goal.
B) Technical goal.
C) Customer satisfaction goal.
D) Scheduling goal.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
16) Which of these is NOT characteristic of a project?
A) Projects are responsible for the newest and most improved products, services, and organizational processes.
B) Projects are ad hoc endeavors with a clear life cycle.
C) Projects provide a philosophy and strategy for the management of change.
D) Traditional process management functions of planning, organizing, and controlling do not apply to project management.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
17) Which of the following is NOT a project constraint?
A) The budget
B) The customer requirements
C) The schedule
D) The technical specifications
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
18) A product is introduced into a market, gains the acceptance of a fickle public, and finally is supplanted by a new and improved offering. This phenomenon is known as the:
A) Product life cycle.
B) Rule of 80.
C) Mendoza line.
D) Beta.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
19) The period of time that is ideal to achieve the success of a new product is the:
A) Moment.
B) Launch window.
C) Window of opportunity.
D) Momentito.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
20) A typical project stays within functional and organizational boundaries.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
21) A project exists outside of the standard line organization.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
22) Product life cycles are longer now than twenty years ago.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
23) What is a project?
Answer: The author offers a number of definitions, including the Project Management Institute's statement "a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service." A synthesis of the definitions offered might be that projects are customer-focused, complex, one-time processes limited by budget, schedule, and resources that are developed to resolve a clear goal or set of goals.
Diff: 1
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.2: Recognize the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
24) Studies of IT projects reveal that:
A) Initial cost estimates are overrun by an average of 15%.
B) Over 66% of IT projects were delivered to customers but not used.
C) About 25% of all IT projects become runaways by overshooting budgets and timetables.
D) Up to 75% of software projects are cancelled.
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.3: Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Information Technology
25) A business reality that makes effective project management critical is the fact that:
A) Products are becoming increasingly simple.
B) Inflation is rampant.
C) Product life cycles are compressing.
D) Product launch windows are widening.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.3: Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
26) One of the things that the technical side of project management emphasizes is:
A) Team building.
B) Conflict management.
C) Negotiation.
D) Budgeting.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.3: Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
27) The behavioral side of project management emphasizes:
A) Scheduling.
B) Leadership.
C) Planning.
D) Project selection.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.3: Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
28) One unique feature of projects is that they blend both:
A) Financial and behavioral challenges.
B) Technical and temporal challenges.
C) Technical and behavioral challenges.
D) Financial and temporal challenges.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.3: Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
29) Project management is a useful training ground for:
A) Interns.
B) Recent graduates
C) Employees of recently acquired companies.
D) Senior executives.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.3: Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
30) What changes in the business environment have necessitated a greater use of project management skills?
Answer: Today's businesses face a set of pressures that make projects crucial in helping an organization achieve its strategic goals. These pressures include shortened product life cycles, narrow product launch windows, increasingly complex and technical products, the emergence of global markets, and an economic period marked by low inflation.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.3: Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
31) Provide an example from the past year that demonstrates the criticality of achieving a narrow launch window by demonstrating two similar projects/products being launched in short succession or a product or service launch that was well or poorly timed to market conditions.
Answer: Examples will vary. Common examples include movies that made or missed the summer season of optimal time for Oscar consideration, or were released simultaneously with superior offerings; consumer electronic products that made or missed traditional peak demand times or were released shortly after or before a competitor's offering; and concept restaurants or retail stores that failed to live up to expectations.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.2 Why Are Projects Important?
LO: 1.3: Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
32) Which of the following types of activities is more closely associated with projects rather than processes?
A) An activity that is ongoing
B) An activity that is day-to-day
C) An activity that uses existing systems
D) An activity that establishes its own work rules
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.4: Differentiate between project management practices and more traditional, process-oriented business functions.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
33) Which of the following is accomplished through project management?
A) A cellular phone company activates a new customer's service.
B) An automotive manufacturer produces a day's quota of vehicles.
C) A software developer creates a new crash-proof operating system.
D) A retailer restocks the shelves after a day of brisk sales.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.4: Differentiate between project management practices and more traditional, process-oriented business functions.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
34) Projects differ from classic organizational processes because projects are:
A) Discrete activities.
B) Part of line organization.
C) Well established systems in place to integrate efforts.
D) Multi-objective.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.4: Differentiate between project management practices and more traditional, process-oriented business functions.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
35) Process management features ________ with respect to project management.
A) greater team member heterogeneity
B) greater certainty of performance
C) fewer numbers of goals and objectives
D) lower adherence to established practices
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.4: Differentiate between project management practices and more traditional, process-oriented business functions.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
36) Projects are typically ongoing, day-to-day activities that have goods and services as outputs.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.4: Differentiate between project management practices and more traditional, process-oriented business functions.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
37) The special nature of projects relieves project managers from their routine of planning, organizing, motivating, directing, and controlling.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.4: Differentiate between project management practices and more traditional, process-oriented business functions.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
38) What are key differences between projects and processes?
Answer: A process refers to ongoing, day-to-day activities in which an organization engages while producing goods and services. Processes use existing systems, properties, and capabilities in a continuous, fairly repetitive manner. Projects take place outside the normal, process-oriented world of the firm and project management activities remain unique and separate from the manner in which process-oriented work is performed. Differences are listed in the table reproduced below.
Process | Project |
Repeat process of product | New process or product |
Several objectives | One objective |
Ongoing | One shot — limited life |
People are homogeneous | More heterogeneous |
Well established systems in place to integrate efforts | Systems must be created to integrate efforts |
Greater certainty of performance, cost, schedule | Greater uncertainty of performance, cost, schedule |
Part of line organization | Outside of line organization |
Bastions of established practice | Violates established practice |
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.4: Differentiate between project management practices and more traditional, process-oriented business functions.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
39) The use of benchmarking allows companies that are relatively immature at project management to achieve quantum leaps of improvement.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.5: Recognize the key motivators that are pushing companies to adopt project management practices.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
40) Most effective project maturity models chart both a set of standards that are currently accepted as state-of-the-art as well as a process for achieving significant movement towards these benchmarks.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.5: Recognize the key motivators that are pushing companies to adopt project management practices.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
41) Acme uses no recognizable project management processes and has entertaining project meetings because each member has a unique way of reporting progress or lack thereof. Acme is most likely at the moderate level in the generic project management maturity model.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.5: Recognize the key motivators that are pushing companies to adopt project management practices.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
42) Any organization, no matter how initially unskilled in project management, can begin to chart a course toward the type of project organization they wish to become.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.5: Recognize the key motivators that are pushing companies to adopt project management practices.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
43) A company's culture has little impact on whether projects are successfully implemented.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.6 Project Elements and Text Organization
LO: 1.5: Recognize the key motivators that are pushing companies to adopt project management practices.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
44) Pick any organization in the recent business news and provide examples of both project and process work that this company is well known for.
Answer: Examples will vary, but the project work examples should clearly depart from the day to day routine work of the company. The project examples should demonstrate the understanding that projects are complex, one-time processes limited by budget, schedule and resources that are developed to resolve a clear set of goals.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.1 What Is a Project?
LO: 1.5: Recognize the key motivators that are pushing companies to adopt project management practices.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
45) Geoffco's project manager names three individuals and requests a project budget of $3,000,000 for the new 8-Pod, a backpack-sized personal music player for 8-track tapes capable of holding up to 100 songs from the '60s and '70s. This important step takes place during ________ of the project life cycle.
A) planning
B) conceptualization
C) execution
D) termination
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
46) The man-hours requirement is typically at a peak during the ________ phase of the project life cycle.
A) planning
B) conceptualization
C) execution
D) termination
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
47) Individual activities and their durations are developed during the ________ phase of the project life cycle.
A) planning
B) conceptualization
C) execution
D) termination
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
48) The general contractor handed Antoni Gaudi the keys to his dream home during the ________ phase of the project life cycle.
A) planning
B) conceptualization
C) execution
D) termination
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
49) Keith Monroe nails hundreds of pieces of culled lumber in the blazing July sun to form a parquet deck for his barn roof. He and his assistant are clearly in:
A) The termination stage of the project life cycle.
B) The planning stage of the project life cycle.
C) The execution stage of the project life cycle.
D) Way over their heads.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
50) The MBA redesign committee presents the results of their five-year project to their bemused Dean. They hope it is not just wishful thinking that they are in the:
A) Planning phase.
B) Conceptualization phase.
C) Execution phase.
D) Termination phase.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
51) Client interest is typically at its lowest during the:
A) Conceptualization phase.
B) Planning phase.
C) Execution phase.
D) Termination phase.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
52) The degree of innovation and creativity is typically at its highest during the:
A) Conceptualization phase.
B) Planning phase.
C) Execution phase.
D) Termination phase.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
53) Which of these factors are essentially complete opposites from an intensity perspective across the project life cycle?
A) Client Interest and Creativity
B) Creativity and Resources
C) Resources and Project Stake
D) Project Stake and Client Interest
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
54) Which of these factors are essentially complete opposites from an intensity perspective across the project life cycle?
A) Client Interest and Uncertainty
B) Creativity and Resources
C) Uncertainty and Project Stake
D) Project Stake and Client Interest
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
55) Which of these factors are highly similar from an intensity perspective across the project life cycle?
A) Client Interest and Creativity
B) Creativity and Resources
C) Resources and Project Stake
D) Project Stake and Uncertainty
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
56) The amount of corporate investment is typically at its lowest in the:
A) Conceptualization phase.
B) Planning phase.
C) Execution phase.
D) Termination phase.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
57) The amount of corporate investment is typically at its highest in the:
A) Conceptualization phase.
B) Planning phase.
C) Execution phase.
D) Termination phase.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
58) The degree of risk associated with the project is typically at its highest during the:
A) Conceptualization phase.
B) Planning phase.
C) Execution phase.
D) Termination phase.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
59) The technical challenges that the project has to face are typically at their lowest during the:
A) Conceptualization phase.
B) Planning phase.
C) Execution phase.
D) Termination phase.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
60) The commitment of financial, human, and technical resources is highest during the:
A) Conceptualization phase.
B) Planning phase.
C) Execution phase.
D) Termination phase.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
61) The only component that does NOT exhibit a wave throughout the project life cycle is the:
A) Client interest.
B) Resources.
C) Creativity.
D) Uncertainty.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
62) Which of these effects exhibits an intensity level that is a nearly perfect sinusoid?
A) Client interest
B) Uncertainty
C) Creativity
D) Resources
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
63) The initial goal and technical specifications of the project are developed during the planning stage.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
64) Client interest in a project is highest during the termination and conceptual phases.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
65) Describe the activities that occur at each stage of a project.
Answer: Stages in a project's development are referred to as the project life cycle, which consists of conceptualization, planning, execution, and termination. In the conceptualization stage the scope of the work is determined, necessary resources are identified, and important organizational stakeholders signed on. In the planning stage all detailed specifications, schematics, schedules, and other plans are developed. Individual pieces of the project are broken down, individual assignments are made, and the process for completion is delineated. During the execution phase the system is developed or the product is created and fabricated. Termination occurs when the completed project is transferred to the customer, the project's resources are reassigned, and the project is formally closed out.
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
66) Use the project life cycle and intensity level graph to describe your journey in your current degree program. Provide the number of credit hours you have earned and the number remaining in your program and briefly describe key events that show peaks or valleys in the five components.
Answer: Examples will vary, but the student should construct the intensity level versus time plot and show uncertainty, creativity, resources, project stake, and client interest waxing and waning as he moves through the PLC.
Diff: 1
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
67) Where in the project life cycle are the intensity level of resources and client interest at their highest? Why is this the case?
Answer: The intensity level of resources peaks during the execution phase of the project life cycle. The actual work is performed during this phase, so the commitment of financial, human, and technical resources peaks at this time. The level of enthusiasm or concern expressed by the project's intended customer peaks in both the conceptualization and termination phases. The client is initially very interested because they provide input on the goal and specifications of the project. Project work moves out of the conceptual phase to a more internal mode and the client's interest wanes until the project nears delivery. At this point the client's interest peaks again as they prepare to receive the completed project and all the associated benefits.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.3 Project Life Cycles
LO: 1.6: Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
68) The most recent addition to the four criteria of project success is:
A) Time.
B) Cost.
C) Performance.
D) Client acceptance.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
69) The project success criteria that functions as a quality check is:
A) Time.
B) Cost.
C) Performance.
D) Client acceptance.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
70) Which of the following statements about project success criteria is BEST?
A) Project cost is an external performance measure.
B) Completion time is an internal performance measure.
C) Client acceptance is an internal performance measure.
D) Client acceptance is often referred to as conducting a "quality" check.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
71) A project has achieved success. Which of the following statements is another way of expressing the same outcome?
A) The project achieved the dual constraint plus the two external conditions.
B) The project achieved the triple constraint plus the one internal condition.
C) The project achieved the triple constraint plus the one external condition.
D) The project achieved the dual constraint plus the two internal conditions.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
72) A design project is completed on time, under budget, to the customer's satisfaction, and in adherence to the technical specifications agreed. The new product takes the market by storm and everyone associated with the project receives a coveted gold star. Under the four dimensions of project success model, the project still needs to show:
A) Future potential.
B) Business success.
C) Impact on the customer.
D) Efficiency.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
73) Some argue that the quadruple constraint is insufficient for determining the success of a project. Instead, the quadruple constraint must be considered along with:
A) The project's potential for generating future opportunities.
B) The project's ability to harm competitors.
C) The project's risk in relation to its reward.
D) The project's efficiency as it approaches 100%.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
74) The dimension of project success that is realized first (chronologically) is:
A) Future potential.
B) Business success.
C) Impact on the customer.
D) Efficiency.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
75) The dimension of project success that is realized last (chronologically) is:
A) Future potential.
B) Business success.
C) Impact on the customer.
D) Efficiency.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
76) The dimension of project success that is measured by both an internal and external criterion is:
A) Future potential.
B) Business success.
C) Impact on the customer.
D) Efficiency.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
77) In the Atkinson model of project success, a project's impact to the surrounding community would be classified as:
A) An element of the iron triangle.
B) A stakeholder benefit.
C) An organizational benefit.
D) A strategic goal.
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
78) In the Atkinson model of project success, stakeholder benefits NOT accrued by the organization might include:
A) Improved effectiveness.
B) Improved efficiency.
C) Social and environmental impact.
D) Increased profits.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
79) The Atkinson model considers which of these benefits is being accrued by the organization if a project is successful?
A) Information quality
B) Validity
C) Satisfied users
D) Increased profits
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
80) All groups that are affected by a project are known by this name:
A) Ombudsmen.
B) Team members.
C) Minions.
D) Stakeholders.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
81) An information system project might be assessed by which of the following criteria?
A) Maintainability
B) Reduced waste
C) Time
D) Personal development
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
82) The classic triple constraint standard for project performance is composed of time, cost, and client acceptance.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
83) The business success dimension of project success determines whether the project achieved significant commercial success.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
84) The Atkinson model for assessing project success gathers input from all of the project's stakeholders.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
85) Rank the determinants of project success from most important to least important and justify your rankings.
Answer: Answers with regard to ranking may vary since, for example, circumstances may dictate that time is an overriding concern at the expense of quality and cost. The determinants of project success are: conformance to budget, schedule, performance specifications, and client acceptance.
Time — Projects are constrained by a specified timeframe during which they must be completed; they are not supposed to continue indefinitely.
Cost — Projects must meet budgeted allowances in order to use resources as efficiently as possible.
Performance — Projects are developed in order to adhere to some initially determined technical specifications. Performance measurement means determining whether the finished product operates according to specifications.
Client acceptance — Projects are developed with customers in mind; their purpose is to satisfy customers' needs. If the completed project meets all internal criteria but does not satisfy the customer, then the project has not been a complete success.
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
86) Discuss the internal and external measures of project success.
Answer: The determinants of project success are the internal measures of time, cost, and performance and the external measure of client acceptance.
Time — Projects are constrained by a specified timeframe during which they must be completed; they are not supposed to continue indefinitely.
Cost — Projects must meet budgeted allowances in order to use resources as efficiently as possible.
Performance — Projects are developed in order to adhere to some initially determined technical specifications. Performance measurement means determining whether the finished product operates according to specifications.
Client acceptance — Projects are developed with customers in mind; their purpose is to satisfy customers' needs. If the completed project meets all internal criteria but does not satisfy the customer, then the project has not been a complete success.
Diff: 1
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
87) Describe the elements of the Atkinson model of project success.
Answer: The Atkinson model incorporates the input of all stakeholders in assessing project success. Stakeholders are all groups that are affected by a project, for example, employees, customers, end users, the community, suppliers, etc. The Atkinson model begins with the traditional iron triangle of time, cost, and performance and adds considerations of the benefits accrued by organizational end external stakeholders.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
88) One model of project success offered in the chapter looks beyond the current project into the future. Comment on the elements of this model and their impact along the timeline from project completion to well beyond this point in time.
Answer: This framework was proposed by Shenhar, Levy, and Dvir and contains in chronological order, the elements of project efficiency, impact on the customer, business success, and preparing for the future. The immediate measure of success is efficiency, that is, have the project budget and schedule been achieved? More important, have the customer needs, technical specifications been met? Next, has the project achieved the commercial success that was hoped for? Finally, has the project opened new markets or new product lines, helped develop new technologies, or developed new skills for the organization?
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Determinants of Project Success
LO: 1.7: Understand the concept of project "success," including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
89) ABC company compares the way they manage projects with the way rival NBC company manages projects. ABC company is engaged in:
A) Corporate espionage
B) Ring level 0.
C) Competitive benchmarking.
D) Cutting edge practices.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
90) Project management maturity models are NOT used to:
A) Compare practices against an industry standard.
B) Define a systematic route for improving project management practices.
C) Evaluate current project management practices.
D) Ascertain all stakeholders relevant to a project in the conceptualization phase.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
91) A spider-web diagram is useful for:
A) Showing company performance on a number of criteria simultaneously.
B) Collecting data on how a competitor manages projects.
C) Identifying industry standards for project management maturity.
D) Coaching, evaluating, and auditing projects.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
92) Maynard and Zed construct a spider-web diagram for their latest initiative at the pawn shop. The rings of their spider web diagram show:
A) The dimensions or success factors that are most important to the pawn shop.
B) The scores achieved on each of the dimensions.
C) The competitive comparison among other pawn shop projects.
D) The relative importance of each of the dimensions or critical success factors.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
93) The project maturity model developed by the Center for Business Practices would have ________ rings if a spider-web diagram were used.
A) Three
B) Four
C) Five
D) Six
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
94) The most basic level in Kerzner's project management maturity model is:
A) Common language.
B) Common processes.
C) Initial process.
D) Ad hoc.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
95) Carnegie Mellon's SEI model, ESI International's project framework, and the Center for Business Practices all call their highest level of maturity:
A) Continuous improvement.
B) Optimizing.
C) Ganbei.
D) Comprehensive.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
96) The author's synthesis of all well-known maturity models states that moderate project management maturity is characterized by:
A) Ad hoc processes.
B) Little support from upper management.
C) Project management training programs.
D) Active exploration of ways to improve project management.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
97) The maturity models presented in this chapter all demonstrate that:
A) Project management maturity must have at least three levels.
B) Project management maturity tends to stagnate and then improve in a sudden burst to the next level.
C) Project management maturity can be measured only imprecisely.
D) Project management maturity is an ongoing process based on continuous improvement.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
98) Among the maturity models presented in this chapter, the one term that could be used to characterize the lowest level of each is:
A) Ad hoc.
B) Ad nauseam.
C) Integrated.
D) Derivative.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
99) Which statement regarding the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) is BEST?
A) The PMBoK consists of seven knowledge areas of project management skills and activities.
B) Each element of the iron triangle is represented by its own area.
C) Project risk management is part of the integration section.
D) The institute's position that a properly planned project will not require any changes precludes the need for change control in the model.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 1.6 Project Elements and Text Organization
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
100) What are project management maturity models used for?
Answer: Project management maturity models are used to allow organizations to benchmark the best practices of successful project management firms. Project maturity models recognize that different organizations are currently at different levels of sophistication in their best practices for managing projects.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.8: Understand the purpose of project maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
101) Describe the spider-web methodology for displaying project management maturity and present any five components of project management practice that can be displayed using this technique.
Answer: A spider-web diagram (or radar chart) derives its name from its visual similarity to a spider-web, consisting of some number of spokes connected by concentric rings. The spokes represent the components of project management practice that the organization chooses to measure. The rings represent levels of achievement for each of the components.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.9: Identify the relevant maturity stages that organizations go through to become proficient in their use of project management techniques.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
102) Describe the project management characteristics of firms that reside at the lowest levels of the ESI, SEI, Center for Business Practice, and Kerzner maturity models and characteristics of firms that reside at the highest levels of these models.
Answer: The lowest level of each model is occupied by companies that have no clear sense of project management. There is no common project management language within these companies and management processes, if any exist, are ad hoc. Firms occupying the highest level of project management maturity are project savvy; having progressed beyond simply applying project management to processes. These firms actively explore ways to continuously improve project management techniques and procedures.
Diff: 3
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.9: Identify the relevant maturity stages that organizations go through to become proficient in their use of project management techniques.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
103) What are the three levels of the generic project management maturity model and what are the characteristics of a company at each level? Provide examples of organizations at each of these levels and support your choices.
Answer: The lowest maturity level of the generic model is reserved for companies that have an ad hoc approach to project management. There is no common language for project management and little support for project workers and the projects. At the moderate maturity level, the organization has defined practices, some training programs for project management and organizational support dedicated to these efforts. At the high maturity level, the process of project management is institutionalized and there are continuous improvement efforts underway from one project to the next. Example organizations will vary.
Diff: 3
Section: 1.5 Developing Project Management Maturity
LO: 1.9: Identify the relevant maturity stages that organizations go through to become proficient in their use of project management techniques.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
