BUSI 313 quiz 2 solutions complete answers

BUSI 313 quiz 2 solutions complete answers 

 

How is project scope defined?

 

Jose is looking at a document that outlines the specific deliverables and sub-deliverables 

 

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the first?

 

Linda has just been assigned manager of a project to develop a new advertising campaign for an established product. Her first step should be to

 

Which of the following is NOT true regarding scope creep?

 

An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as

 

The first step of project scope definition is to

 

In reviewing the project plan, Susan sees that the first prototype must be completed by October 12. This would be best classified as a

 

The ability of a 911 emergency system to identify the caller's phone number and location is considered to be a

 

Which of the following is NOT one of the items that would appear on a project scope statement or checklist?

 

"To construct a high-quality, custom home within five months at costs not to exceed $150,000" is best classified as

 

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the second?

 

One of the primary jobs of a project manager is to manage the trade-offs associated with the project. Which of the following is NOT one of the basic classifications of project priorities?

 

After reviewing the project scope statement, the owner specifies that costs MUST stay within $400,000. This criterion is classified as

 

Scott has just been given a project that has a specific completion date. After a discussion with top management he finds that while the date is important the cost is more important and a slip in delivery would be acceptable if required to meet the cost targets. The completion date is best classified as

 

The _________ is used to assist in making project trade-offs among schedule, budget, and performance objectives.

 

The lowest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is

 

The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is

 

All of the following are ways the WBS helps in managing projects EXCEPT

 

All of the following are usually included in a work package EXCEPT

 

The integration of the lowest level of the WBS with the organizational units responsible for performing the work is known as

 

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the last?

 

When work packages are integrated with organizational units, a control point is created called a

 

The WBS is best suited for projects that have a tangible outcome. Which of the following is used when the final outcome of the project is less tangible or is a product of a series of steps or phases?

 

If a project is small and does not require an elaborate system to assign tasks, which of the following is a good choice?

 

The project scope statement indicates that the client is responsible for training the people who will be using the equipment and that the project team will train the client's trainers. This is an example of

 

The tendency for the project deliverables to expand over time-usually by changing requirements, specifications, and priorities-is called

 

Which of the following is a good example of a Process Breakdown Structure?

 

Which of the following is least likely to be included in a work package?

 

Having a strong communication plan can go a long way toward mitigating project problems. A communication plan should address all of the following EXCEPT

 

A communication plan is a key component for giving guidelines on how to track project

 

A “Dissemination Mode” is

 

A key aspect to communication plans are that they allow the project manager and the project team to

 

A Responsibility Matrix will clarify

 

One way for a project manager to communicate the authority granted to individual project members is to publish a

 

A Process Breakdown Structure can provide a reasonable alternative to a Work Breakdown structure for an extensive development project if

 

A selective outline of the project that ensures the identification of all tasks and an understanding of what is to be done is called a(n) ____________.

 

The first step in planning any project is to ___________.

 

The definition of the end result or mission of your project, or what you expect to deliver to your customer when the project is complete is the project ___________.

 

Significant events in a project that occur at a specific point in time, are natural control points, and are easily recognized by project participants are known as ___________.

 

The need for a functioning computer in countries having different electrical systems is an example of a ________.

 

The agreement that training will be the responsibility of the customer and not the team is an example of a project ________.

 

The last element of a project scope statement or checklist ensures an understanding and agreement of expectations. This is known as ____________.

 

In regard to project priorities, if a project parameter such as the completion date or the cost of a project is fixed and must be met it is considered ____________.

 

Taking advantage of opportunities to reduce costs or accelerate the schedule are examples of project criteria classified as ____________.

 

In making project trade-offs, a criterion that is allowed not to meet the original target, for example, allowing the schedule to slip, is classified as ___________.

 

A technique that clearly establishes priorities with customers and top management so as to create shared expectations and avoid misunderstandings is developing a(n) ___________.

 

The result of subdividing the work of a project into smaller and smaller work elements is called a(n) __________.

 

The most detailed element in the hierarchical breakdown of the project work to be accomplished is known as the __________.

 

The intersection of work packages and the organizational unit creates a project control point called a(n) ___________.

 

When specific work packages are assigned to a particular group or person within the organization, the result is called a(n) ___________.

 

The final step in defining a project is __________ the WBS for the information system.

 

The WBS is best suited for design and construction projects that have tangible outcomes. When the final outcome of the project is less tangible or it is result of a series of steps or phases, some project managers choose to utilize a(n) ___________.

 

Once the __________ has been established, it is the basis for making trade-off decisions later in the project.

 

The type of information that will need to be collected during a project and who will receive this information can be found in the project __________ plan.

 

One tool that is used by project managers of small projects to summarize the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a project is called a(n) __________.

 

A document that is issued by upper management and provides the project manager with written authority to use organizational resources for project activities is called a(n) __________.

 

Scope creep can be reduced by carefully writing a(n) __________ statement.

 

One of the primary jobs of a project manager is to manage the trade-offs among time, cost, and performance. To do so, the project manager must define and understand the ___________ of the project.

 

The gradual expansion of project requirements, specifications and priorities during the execution of project is known as ____________.

 

A robust ______________ can go a long way to reducing project problems over the life of the project.

 

Scope creep occurs when your project is completed over-budget.

 

There is a strong correlation between project success and clear project scope definition.

 

Project scope describes what you expect to deliver to your customers when the project is complete.

 

One of the items included on a project scope statement or checklist is the review with the customer.

 

An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as a target.

 

An activity that represents a major segment of work is a good example of a milestone.

 

The fact that a new home being built must meet local building codes is an example of a limit and exclusion.

 

If a project criterion should be optimized if at all possible, it is classified as being constrained.

 

If the project time should be accepted, then the project must be completed on time.

 

During the course of a project, it is possible that the project priorities may change.

 

Profit, time and performance are all basic classifications of project priorities.

 

Integrating a project's work packages within the organization's management structure is known as work breakdown structure.

 

The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is the first major deliverable for the project and the lowest element is a work package.

 

Process breakdown structures are used when the size and the scope of the project do not warrant an elaborate WBS or OBS.

 

Responsibility matrices are used primarily with small and medium-sized projects and have limited use in large projects.

 

A communication plan should include limits on who has access to certain kinds of information.

 

The intersection of work packages and the organizational unit creates a project control point called a cost account.

 

The project charter provides the project manager with written authority to use organizational resources for project activities.

 

For large companies, the organization breakdown structure is used rather than the work breakdown structure.

 

The hierarchical work breakdown structure provides management with information appropriate to each level.

 

The final stage in defining a project is coding the organization breakdown structure or OBS for the information system.

 

"Reviews with customer" only refers to projects with external customers who are paying for the project.

 

A typical responsibility matrix will include not only those responsible for a specific task but can also include those who supply support and assistance.

 

Creating a communication plan typically follows a process that begins with a stakeholder analysis.

 

Responsibility Matrices are useful for assigning and organizing responsibilities.

 

A Process Breakdown Structure is a replacement for the Work Breakdown Structure for projects with tangible outcomes.

 

The process of forecasting or approximating the time and cost of completing project deliverables is called

 

In practice, estimating processes are frequently classified as

 

What is the relationship between organizational culture and estimating?

 

A good starting point for developing time and cost estimates is

 

Which of the following is NOT one of the factors that need to be considered to improve quality of estimates for project times and costs?

 

Ed is looking over the actual results of projects and comparing them to what was estimated. He notices that the projects that took six months or longer to complete were noticeably more off the estimates. Which of the following factors is he recognizing?

 

Janet is forecasting how much money her department needs to support a new project. She estimates that two people and $25,000 in expenses will cover her needs. Because management typically insists on reducing forecasts by 20 percent, she increases her estimates to allow for that reduction. Which of the following factors is illustrated in this situation?

 

Which of the following is a good condition for top-down estimating?

 

Which of the following is a good condition for bottom-up estimating?

 

Richard is collecting estimates for a house that he will have the funding to build in 12 months. Which of the following factors does Richard need to consider in regard to the quality of these estimates?

 

Which of the following does NOT help describe a bottom-up estimating approach?

 

Which of the following methods is NOT considered a top-down approach to estimating project time and cost?

 

Jose is forecasting project time and cost for constructing a new building by multiplying the total square footage by a given dollar amount. Which of the following methods is he using?

 

Sean is forecasting the time and cost of developing a customized software program by looking at the number of inputs, outputs, inquiries, files, and interfaces. Which of the following methods is he using?

 

Laura is forecasting the time and cost of developing an intranet for a new customer. Her department has completed six such intranets for customers during the last two years. Although the proposed system is about the same size as the others, she estimates that it will take about 10 percent less time and money. Which of the following methods is she using?

 

Learning curves are more likely to be applied in situations where most of the costs are

 

Which of the following describes the consensus method?

 

Which of the following is NOT one of the bottom-up approaches to estimating project time and cost?

 

Which of the following would be the best method for projects where the final product is not known and the uncertainty is very large?

 

Rob is responsible for estimating a work package that has a significant amount of uncertainty associated with the time and cost to complete. Due to the uncertainty involved he will be making a low, an average and a high estimate. Rob is using which estimating approach?

 

Which of the following is NOT true in regard to the level of detail estimates should contain?

 

The salary of the project manager would be an example of what type of cost found in a project?

 

Typical kinds of costs found in a project include all of the following EXCEPT

 

Accounting would be an example of which of the following costs typically found in a project?

 

Which of the following would best represent direct project costs?

 

Which of the following is NOT one of the recommended guidelines for developing useful work package estimates?

 

Companies are using which of the following for improving the estimating process for future projects?

 

Reasons why estimating time and cost are important include all of the following EXCEPT

 

The bottom-up approach for estimating times and costs that uses costs from past projects that were similar to the current project is known as

 

Which of the following top-down methods is used when projects closely follow past projects in regard to features and costs of those features, and result in costs being assigned by percentages to major segments of the project?

 

Refining estimates may be necessary for a number of reasons. For example, resource shortages, in the form of people, equipment, or materials, can extend original estimates. This is a good example of

 

Refining estimates may be necessary for a number of reasons. For example, people working on prototype development needing time to interact with the design engineers after the design is completed is a good example of

 

Refining Estimates may be necessary for a number of reasons. For example, a manager getting further into a project and obtaining a better understanding of what needs to be done to accomplish a project and meet the needs of the customer is an example of

 

Refining estimates may be necessary for a number of reasons. For example, design flaws being revealed after the fact, extreme weather conditions, and accidents occurring are good examples of

 

Large projects that have long time horizons and a very high complexity can be referred to as

 

While it may be true that Mega Projects are by nature extremely difficult to estimate, another factor identified in the consistent pattern of estimating difficulties is:

 

An external view of a Mega Project based upon the outcome of similar projects undertaken in the past is known as:

 

Benefits of Reference Class Forecasting include

 

The pattern of improvement identified from a worker having performed a task multiple time is known as a

 

Estimating can be challenged by

 

When work package estimates are made by individuals most knowledgeable about the work being performed and these estimates are then "rolled up" to find estimated costs for major deliverables and the project itself, ____________ estimating is being used.

 

When someone uses experience and/or information from others to determine the project duration and total cost, ____________ estimating is being used.

 

The estimating factor that considers the decreasing accuracy of estimates as one forecasts activities that are further into the future is known as ____________.

 

The estimating factor that considers the skill level of participants doing the estimating is known as the ___________ factor.

 

The estimating factor that considers the tendency to overestimate project time and cost in order to improve the likelihood of meeting the estimates is known as the ___________ factor.

 

The estimating factor that considers the prevailing belief in some firms that detailed estimating takes too much time and is not worth the effort is an example of the ___________ factor.

 

The preferred method for situations involving strategic decision making, projects with a high degree of uncertainty, and projects with an unstable scope is the ___________ approach to estimating project time and costs.

 

The preferred method for situations where the cost and time estimates are important, in a fixed contract situation, and when the customer wants a lot of detail is the ___________ approach to estimating project time and costs.

 

The information necessary to conduct a bottom-up estimate of project time and costs starts with the ___________.

 

Jose is forecasting project time and cost for constructing a new building by multiplying the total square footage by a given dollar amount. He is using the ___________ method of top-down estimating.

 

Rose is working on estimates for a project that is very similar to a previous project, in that it has many of the same features and those features have similar costs. Each feature or deliverable will represent the same percentage of the total cost as it did for the previous project. Rose is using the _________ method of top-down estimating.

 

The top-down method for estimating project time and cost that uses weighted variables based on major parameters and is frequently used in the development of software is known as the ____________ method.

 

The top-down method of estimating project time and costs that is useful for projects requiring the same task, group of tasks, or product repeated several times, especially if it is labor intensive, is the ______________.

 

The bottom-up method of estimating where work package time and costs for past projects are used as a starting point for a new project and adjustments are made based on differences in the new project is known as the ___________ method.

 

The top-down method of estimating when the pooled experience of senior and/or middle managers are used to estimate the total project duration and cost is the _________ method.

 

The approach to estimating project time and cost that begins with an overall estimate for the project and then refines estimates for various stages of the project as it is implemented is known as ____________.

 

The estimating approach that is best to use on projects where there is an unusual amount of uncertainty surrounding the project and when it is impractical to estimate times and costs for the entire project is known as ___________.

 

A way to improve estimates on future projects is to collect and archive data on past project estimates and actuals. Creating a ___________ for estimating is a way to achieve this goal.

 

Project costs such as labor and materials are typically classified as ___________ costs.

 

The salary of the project manager and temporary rental space for the project team would be classified as __________ costs.

 

Estimates should be made based on ___________ conditions, efficient methods, and a normal level of resources.

 

Costs that are associated with time devoted to the coordination in meetings and briefings as well as time necessary to resolve disconnects between tasks are known as ____________ costs.

 

Costs that are not directly related to a specific project, such as advertising, accounting, and senior management's salary, are classified as _____________ costs.

 

A(n) __________ is something that is a valuable but burdensome possession.

 

The best way to __________________ is to collect and archive data on past projects.

 

Project estimates should be broken down into as much detail, and with as much accuracy, as possible.

 

Cost, time, and budget estimates are the lifeline for control; they serve as the standard for comparison of the actual and the planned throughout the life of the project.

 

Past experience is almost always used primarily in the initial phases of estimating.

 

After averaging out the underestimates and overestimates, a long-duration project is more likely to be on target than a shortterm, small project.

 

The process of forecasting or approximating the time and cost of completing project deliverables is called planning.

 

The project management structure chosen to manage the project will have little impact on the quality of estimates.

 

As long as everyone in a project adds a little padding to reduce risk, the project duration and cost estimates will be more accurate.

 

Organization culture can significantly influence project time and cost estimates.

 

If a project is internal to the company and relatively small, the bottom-up approach to estimating time and costs for the project is the best choice.

 

If time and costs are important to a project the top-down approach to estimating time and costs for the project is the best choice.

 

The ideal approach to estimating project time and costs is to use both the top-down and the bottom-up approach.

 

Estimates that are typically based on estimates of elements found in the work breakdown structure are called bottom-up estimates.

 

Top-down estimates usually are derived from someone who uses experience and/or information to determine the project duration and total cost.

 

Estimating the total cost of a house by multiplying the total square feet by cost per square foot is an example of the apportion method of estimating costs.

 

Estimating the total cost of a project by multiplying each major function by a complexity factor is an example of the apportion method of estimating costs.

 

Phase estimating is used when a project cannot be rigorously defined because of the uncertainty of design or the final product.

 

All task time estimates need consistent time units.

 

One guideline to follow when estimating time, cost and resources is to use several people to make the estimate for a task.

 

The consensus method of estimating costs is a bottom-up technique.

 

The salary of the project manager and her administrative assistant is classified as direct labor costs.

 

General and administrative costs are usually allocated as a percent of the total of a direct cost which includes labor, materials, or equipment.

 

Work package estimates should include allowances for contingencies.

 

Estimates are supposed to be based on normal conditions. While this is a good starting point, it rarely holds true in real life.

 

Mega Projects often under deliver on expected benefits and cost more than expected.

 

Repetition of a task generally results in a reduction of labor hours each successive time a worker performs that task.

 

Information to develop a project network is collected from the

 

Which of the following represents an activity on an activity-on-node (AON) project network?

 

Arrows on an activity-on-node (AON) project network represent

 

When translated into a project network, a work package will become

 

Which of the following is provided by both the project network and the work breakdown structure?

 

On a project network, the activity times are derived from the

 

Which of the following does NOT help describe a project network?

 

An activity that has more than one dependency arrow flowing into it is termed a(n)

 

The critical path in a project network is the

 

A(n) _________ activity has more than one dependency arrow flowing from it.

 

Which of the following can be used without coordinating with managers of succeeding activities?

 

Activities which can take place at the same time are termed

 

A sequence of connected, dependent activities is termed a(n)

 

Bill is building a project network that involves testing a prototype. He must design the prototype (activity 1), build the prototype (activity 2), and test the prototype (activity 3). Activity 1 is the predecessor for activity 2 and activity 2 is the predecessor for activity 3. If the prototype fails testing, Bill must redesign the prototype; therefore, activity 3 is a predecessor for activity 1. This is an example of

 

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic rules to follow when developing project networks?

 

________ activities must be completed immediately before a particular activity.

 

________ activities are to be completed immediately following a particular activity.

 

The forward pass in project network calculations determines all of the following EXCEPT

 

The backward pass in project network calculations determines all of the following EXCEPT

 

Which of the following correctly calculates the early finish for an activity?

 

Which of the following correctly calculates the late start for an activity?

 

The amount of time an activity can be delayed and yet not delay the project is termed

 

Which of the following will correctly calculate the total slack in an activity?

 

The likelihood the original critical path(s) will change once the project is initiated is referred to as

 

Which of the following is true about hammock activities?

 

If, for some reason, the project must be expedited to meet an earlier date, which of the following actions would the project manager take first?

 

The assumption that all immediate preceding activities must be 100% complete is too restrictive in some situations. When an activity is broken down into smaller segments in order to start the succeeding activity sooner, this is called

 

If a project has more than one activity that can begin when the project is to start, a common start node should be used to indicate a clear project beginning on the network. Without a common start node, each path is a

 

Tom is responsible for ordering hardware for a custom home his company is building. The contractor installing the hardware is scheduled to start in 5 working days, but the hardware is on backorder and will not arrive for another 9 working days. Fortunately, Tom has 10 days of slack; however, he shares this slack with the hardware installer. He will have to let the contactor know that the hardware will be ready 4 days later than expected and that the slack for the installer has been reduced by 4 days. Tom and the installer share 10 days of

 

The minimum amount of time a dependent activity must be delayed to begin or end is referred to as

 

The requirement for a freshly poured foundation to cure before beginning construction is an example of which of the following type of lag?

 

Concurrent engineering, which has dramatically reduced the development time for new products, relies on what kind of lag?

 

If testing cannot be completed any earlier than four days after the prototype has been built, what type of lag exists?

 

When completing a backward pass, you carry the LS to the next preceding activity to establish the LF, unless the next preceding activity is a burst activity, in which case you select

 

System documentation cannot end until three days after testing has started. This is an example of which kind of lag?

 

A project network provides the basis for ________________________________ .

 

When creating a project network, your primary input will be the

 

A _________ activity is one that has more than one activity immediately following it.

 

A _________ activity is one that has more than one activity immediately preceding it.

 

A _________ activity is one that has more than one activity taking place at the same time.

 

One piece of information that the arrows within the Activity-on-Node network can convey is

 

The amount of delay within a task that will not delay the overall project is known as a

 

After the total slack for each activity is identified, the project manager can more easily identify the __________________.

 

An element in the project that consumes time is a(n) ___________.

 

The activity time estimates used to build a project network are derived from ________.

 

An activity that has more than one predecessor is a _________ activity.

 

The delaying of any activity on the __________ will delay the completion of the project by the same amount.

 

Activities that can take place at the same time if the manager wishes them to are called ________ activities.

 

A(n) _____________ calculates project duration.

 

A(n) ________ activity has more than one successor activity.

 

A(n) _____________ calculates how late an activity can start and finish.

 

In a project network, recycling through a set of activities or __________ is not permitted.

 

In a project network, ________ indicate activity dependency and project flow.

 

________ slack must be coordinated with all participants in the activities that follow in the chain.

 

Activities that must occur immediately before a given activity are called ________ activities.

 

Activities that must immediately follow a given activity are called ________ activities.

 

Activities that can occur while an activity is taking place are called ________ activities.

 

The ________ calculates the earliest times that activities can start or finish.

 

The ________ calculates the critical path and determines how long an activity can be delayed without delaying the project.

 

An activity has a duration of 10 days. Its early start is 4 and its late start is 6. This activity has _____ days of total slack.

 

________ can never be negative and applies only to the last activity in a single chain of activities.

 

A(n) ________ is the minimum amount of time a dependent activity must be delayed to begin or end.

 

When an activity with a long duration is broken into smaller segments so that the following activities can begin sooner it is called __________.

 

The longest path through a project network is called the _________.

 

___________ reflects the likelihood the original critical path(s) will change once the project is initiated.

 

A network has only one critical path and the slack for noncritical activities is high. This network would appear to have a _______ level of sensitivity.

 

The _________ lag is the most typical type of lag that is encountered in developing networks.

 

A(n) __________ activity is frequently used to identify the use of fixed resources or costs over a segment of the project.

 

An activity can include only one work package.

 

A merge activity is one that merges with other activities into a succeeding activity.

 

The WBS identifies dependencies, the sequencing of activities, and the timing of activities.

 

The critical path is the shortest path through a network and indicates activities that cannot be delayed without delaying the project.

 

An activity is an element of the project that always requires time.

 

If a network has more than one critical path but noncritical activities have very little slack, the network is considered to have a high level of sensitivity.

 

The backward pass determines project duration.

 

An activity cannot begin until ALL preceding connected activities have been completed.

 

In developing a project network, neither looping nor conditional statements are permitted.

 

Experience suggests that when there are multiple starts, a common start node should be used to indicate a clear project beginning on the network. Similarly, a single project end node can be used to indicate a clear ending.

 

Burst activities have more than one activity immediately following them (more than one dependency arrow flowing from them).

 

It is acceptable for arrows to cross one another in a network diagram.

 

The forward pass through a project network determines the critical path.

 

The backward pass through a project network determines slack or how long an activity can be delayed without impacting the completion date of the project.

 

Different activities along the same path can have different total slack.

 

If the project has a duration of 13 days, the project should be completed 13 days from the day it starts.

 

It is possible for a project network to have more than one critical path.

 

Using free slack does not delay any following activities and requires no coordination with managers of other activities.

 

Gantt charts are popular because they represent an easy-to-understand, clear picture on a time-scaled horizon.

 

When completing a forward pass, you carry the early finish to the next activity where it becomes its early start unless the next succeeding activity is a merge activity. In this case you select the smallest early finish number of all its immediate predecessor activities.

 

Only activities that occur at the end of a chain of activities can have free slack.

 

Lags can be used to constrain the start and finish of an activity.

 

Even though a project costs time and money to develop, it is worth the effort.

 

Within an Activity-on-Node network, the arrows depict activities to be accomplished.

 

Negative slack can be estimated.