According to PMBOK, a project is 'A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service'.
You have to specifically note the following characteristics
General The exam covers lots of ground! If you are weak in a certain area but strong in the rest you will probably do OK, but if you are weak in many areas you might have trouble. Make sure you are very strong in your strong areas. You definitely need some on-the-ground experience managing projects. Format of Questions You get a question and four possible answers; you must pick the correct answer. Some of the questions have diagrams, charts or other exhibits associated with them. Read the question and think about it before looking at the answers. Read the answers from the bottom up. This is a tip I got from Rita Mulcahy, and it seemed to help. It prevents you from latching onto the first answer, which may be plausible but incorrect. Study Tips You only need 61% to pass, but aim a lot higher! In the Exam Room You are given two pencils and six sheets of paper. If you ask, you can get a four-function calculator and a set of earplugs. You will need all these materials, except maybe the earplugs. You have to return them at the end, and the test administrator will check to see that all materials are returned. You may not take any paper home. Earned Value You need to know the theory behind earned value analysis as well as the formulas. You may be given some information from which you will have to figure out what is not given and how to calculate it. If you do not know the meaning of EV, PV, AC, etc., you will not know how to calculate it. Network Diagrams and Critical Path Questions relating to critical path are straightforward. You just need to calculate correctly. Situational Questions Many of the questions are situational: given a certain situation, what should you as Project Manager do next? To answer them you need to know what the PMBOK says about the sequence of events, you need to have some actual PM experience so you know what they are talking about, and you need to know the code of ethics. Professional Responsibility I only had a few questions that obviously dealt with professional responsibility. Some of the situational questions required knowledge of the code of ethics as well as good project management practices. PMBOK Taxonomy There are questions about the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of the various knowledge areas. The more you know, the better.
Often you can eliminate one or two obviously wrong answers right off the bat, but the other two are both plausible. You need to get in the PMI mindset and know the PMBOK to answer them correctly.
Rita Mulcahy's book was very helpful. Kerzner was useless for me. An excellent source for information about earned value and many other topics is Harvey Levine's writings.
The exam prep course given by the Austin chapter of PMI was invaluable. There are lots of things you need to know that are not in the PMBOK, and the course covered them well.
Here is my strategy. (Remember, what worked for me might not work for you. Know your own learning style.)
You have fifteen minutes to go through the tutorial, and you will not need all of that time. Use some of the time to write down all the formulas you can remember. (Memorize them ahead of time!) I was able to write down formulas before I even started the tutorial. I did not use all the formulas I wrote down, but I was glad for the ones I did use.
You can mark questions in order to return to them later. Do not mark questions which you are confident that you answered correctly. Do not mark questions on which you just took your best guess. Very seldom will a second guess be better than your first one. I marked all the questions that involved calculations (e.g., earned value and critical path) and a few others. I did not change my answer on the calculation questions, and did change my answer on a couple of the others. I have no idea whether my changed answers or my original answers were correct.
To me, it was a little chilly in there. I took a zip-up vest for warmth.
It was very quiet in the exam room, and I had no trouble concentrating, except when a woman sat down next to me wearing very heavy perfume. That was annoying.
Lots of people are in there taking lots of tests. Most tests do not seem to last four hours, as the PMP exam does, so there was some coming and going. I had no trouble ignoring it.
You can get up for a bio-break whenever you want, but the clock is still running. It is a rather grueling four hours, and I needed some breaks. I got through it OK, although I was hungry at the end and had a wave of tiredness at about three hours into it.
You do not get to take a watch in the exam room, but the computer shows you how much time remains.
I noticed at least one way in which one could probably cheat, but I am bound by the PMI code of ethics not to reveal it. You're better off not cheating anyway. Spend the effort studying instead of figuring out how to cheat.
Some of the earned value questions were straightforward: given values for EV, PV and AC, calculate the cost variance or schedule variance.
Some of the questions say "EV (BCWP)," some say "EV" only and some say "BCWP" only. You need to know both sets of terminology.
I needed to know the formulas for calculating EAC.
Rita Mulcahy had a good tip: List all the possible paths (e.g. A-B-C-D-E, A-B-H-G-E, etc.) in some logical order so you do not overlook a path. Then calculate the duration of each path.
The same example can appear in more than one question. For instance, you may be given a network diagram from which you have to calculate something. The same network diagram may appear in another question, where you are asked something different about it. On your scratch paper, write down the question number that pertains to your calculations, so you can go back and look it if the same example appears in another question. If you are sure that the examples are identical, you can reuse your calculations from the first question.
The same situation can appear in more than one question.
Good luck!
Project Stakeholders are the individuals and organizations who are actively involved in the project and whose interests may be positively or negatively affected by the project's success or failure.
Some Common Key Stakeholders in any project are:
Summary: The Project Management Professional (PMP) program is the formal Certification of Project Managers. This program helps to ensure the highest professional and ethical standards within the community of practicing
What eligibility requirements must I meet in order to complete the PMP Certification process?
Project Management Professionals.
Eligibility Criteria
To complete the PMP Certification process, candidates must satisfy all requirements in one of two categories.
Category 1: With a baccalaureate degree
PMP candidates must:
1.Document at least three calendar years experience in project management (during the past six years), including at least 4,500 hours experience within the five recognized project management process groups.
2. Document at least 35 contact hours of formal training in project management.
3. Pass the PMP Certification Exam.
Category 2: Without a baccalaureate degree PMP candidates must:
1. Document at least five calendar years experience in project management (within the past eight years), including at least 7,500 hours experience within the five recognized project management process groups.
2. Document at least 35 contact hours of formal training in project management.
3. Pass the PMP Certification Exam.
Applying
The PMP Application can be completed either online (at www.pmi.org) or with paper forms.
The Application consists of three sections:
1. PMP Certification Examination Application Form
This section consists of three pages and includes all of your general information: name, address, contact information, educational background. This section can be completed quickly.
2. Project Management Education Form
This section is a one-page form that asks you to document your 35 contact hours in project management training. This section can be completed quickly.
3. Project Management Experience Verification Form
This section uses a two-page form to document each of your projects during your experience period. This is the most time-consuming portion of the Application. It involves doing some spadework gathering all the information necessary to complete this section. Summarize your project management experience, include the project names, and companies for whom you did the projects.
Your Certification Fee must accompany your application (credit card only if online). The fee is $405 for PMI members, $555 for non-members.
PMI takes around 10 to 14 working days to process your Application.
Once your Application is approved, you will receive an eligibility letter with identification code and detailed testing information. You must take your exam within six months. Application Forms are available for review and/or download anytime at www.pmi.org.
Caution: Be thorough, accurate and honest with your Application information. To help maintain quality and integrity in the PMP Certification Program, PMI audits a significant percentage of accepted Certification Applications. It's best to assume that your application will be one of them. The audit process involves formal verification by your employer(s) and schools. It is best not to exaggerate any of your application information. If invalid information is found during the audit process, you will be stripped of your Certification. If you do not quite meet any of the eligibility criteria, it is best to wait until you can honestly satisfy the criteria before applying.
Project management best practices have been captured, explained and evangelized for more than 20 years. The first formalized methodology came in 1987 through the Project Management Institute (PMI), with its Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK). Today, PMBOK is still the broadest and deepest reference of generally accepted best practices, arranged around key processes that are leveraged across market segments and departments.
Haydn Thomas is a certified architect of CA Clarity PPM Software. Co-author Julie Tilke manages IT European delivery capability for IT governance and project and portfolio management.
Adding to this "how to" process is UK-born Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2), which evolved from the first edition of PRINCE that addressed a standard for IT project management in the UK. This is a generic project management method, which has an equally deep set of processes and standards focusing on end-to-end project delivery. Following is an overview of how to use these two instructional and impacting methodologies. This article, the fifth in a series of sixth, was preceded by an article which looks at how to effectively utilize multiple releases and provides recommendations for a maturing PMO.
A Guide to the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK)
Currently in its third edition since 2004, the PMI's PMBOK Guide is the broadest and most widely used standard reference of industry best practices for project management. It identifies generally accepted and fundamental practices and guidelines that are applicable to a wide range of markets – construction, software, engineering, automotive (for example) – and crossing multiple departments, from IT to operations to services.
In fact, many government and financial organizations in the U.S. and the UK require their managers be PMI-certified. The PMBOK Guide can be used in any industry, and CA has observed that different industries will leverage different aspects of the reference guide to suit their specific needs. The PMI also issues the "The Standard for Program Management" and "The Standard for Portfolio Management," which are complementary to one another.
The PMBOK Guide outlines five key process groups to aid in project delivery:
1. Initiating - Setting up the project for success by identifying the right team and scope, as well as determining the relationship between the project and its alignment with the organization's overall charter.
2. Planning – Developing the relevant resources, timelines and milestones, and mapping project delivery to business priorities (i.e., risk management, communications, quality, cost/budgeting, duration and sequencing, external dependencies).
3. Executing – Assigning the project team and distributing information to ensure the proper activities are undertaken. This process also includes ensuring quality assurance methods are in place to address change management, organizational updates, possible changes to the plan, etc.
4. Controlling and Monitoring – Ensuring the resulting product maps back to the original plan, and risk from uncontrolled external actions is mitigated. CA Clarity PPM can have a significant impact by setting up a secure infrastructure to:
a. Monitor quality, costs and schedule
b. Manage stakeholder relationships, risk and contract monitoring
c. Identify discrepancies (or variations) within the project schedule
d. Provide the PMO more control
5. Closing – Making sure you have delivered everything expected of the project. Once you close, you need to review the project vis-à-vis the plan and likewise ensure contract closure.
The PMBOK Guide arranges the 44 processes into nine supporting knowledge areas. Each process has identified inputs and outputs along with referenced tools and techniques.
The role of the Project Management Organization (PMO) is to address all process groups and selective processes to address their unique requirements. It should act as the guardians (via education, collateral, templates, standards) to support rollout and increase expertise of their people.
Train to Minimize Culture Shock
If imposed without a broad understanding of benefits, implementing a structured, highly articulated approach to project delivery according to the PMBOK Guide can be a culture shock resulting in unnecessary resistance. In order to gain broader end-user adoption, you should provide relevant documentation detailing the processes and standards, along with the tools and techniques, required for implementation. Proper training is critical for achieving a successful business change.
For training and certification purposes, there is a PMI support accreditation in the PMBOK Guide called the "Project Management Professional" (PMP). To obtain this, candidates are required to show an appropriate educational background and experience in the project management field. They will also be required to pass an exam to demonstrate their knowledge. To retain the credential, a Continuous Certification Requirements (CCR) Program is in place.
Beyond the initial PMI certification for staff members, you should designate a few key players in your PMO and key business stakeholders for procedure-level training. This advanced training should be mapped to some or all of the key PMBOK process groups and will be essential to ensure consistent delivery.
Ensure Roles for Both PMBOK Enforcers and Supporters
After training, organizations employing PMBOK should create roles for both top-level "enforcers" of the identified approach, along with "support" staff for consistent delivery according to the identified standards and procedures.
It should be noted that continuous development should be contributed to or undertaken by the following roles:
Enforcers: The "Enforcers" are the custodians of procedures and standards, and are responsible for their development under change management. While the enforcer's initial charter will be to effect business change, as the PMO becomes more mature and accepted, the role will transition to one of ensuring the necessary procedures and standards are in place for continued maturation.
Supporter (Advisors): The "Support" or "Advisor" roles champion and promote the adopted framework throughout the user community through education, mentoring, and issue and change management. Each resource will have a solid understanding of the end-to-end processes and standards but can also specialize in a particular area such as execution.
Q U A L I T Y
-------------
CoQ = ( ( Review Efforts + Test Efforts + Training Efforts + Rework Efforts + Efforts of Prevention) / Total Efforts) x 100 %
PERT = O + 4ML + P
--------------
6
MEAN -> Average
MODE -> The "most found" number
RANGE -> Largest - Smallest Measure.
MEDIUM -> No in the middle or avg. of 2 middle Nos
STD. DEV. OF TASK = P - O
____________
6
TASK VAR. = (P - O) 2 = Std. Dev ^ 2
____________
6
_____________
CP STD. DEV. = √ σ² + σ² + σ²
SIGMA 1 = 68.26
2 = 95.46
3 = 99.73
6 = 99.99
Channels of Communication
-------------------------
COMM = (N2 - N) / 2 = (N x (N - 1)) / 2
P R O J E C T S E L E C T I O N
---------------------------------
PV = F V .
-------
(1+r)�
FV = PV x (1+r)
NPV = S ( PV + PV + PV + PV )
---- ---- ---- ----
(1+r)� (1+r)� (1+r)� (1+r)�
Cash Flow = Cash Inflow - Cash Outflow
Discounted Cash Flow = CF x Discount Factor
ARR = S Cash Flow / No. of Years
ROI = (ARR / Investment) * 100 %
BCR = Benefits / Cost
Exp. Value = Probability % x Consequence $
Class of Estimates
-------------------
Definitive +5%
Capital Cost +10-15%
Appropriation +15-25%
Feasibility +25-35%
Order of Magnitude > +35%
Contract Incentives
--------------------
Savings = Target Cost - Actual Cost
Bonus = Savings x Percentage
Contract Cost = Bonus + Fees
Total Cost = Actual Cost + Contract Cost
E A R N E D V A L U E A N A L Y S I S
---------------------------------------------
PV (Present Value) = BCWS (Budgeted Cost of Work Schedule)
EV (Earned Value) = BCWP (Budgeted Cost of Work Performed)
AC (Actual Cost) = ACWP (Actual Cost of Work Performed)
CV = EV - AC
CPI = EV / AC (efficiency)
SV = EV - PV
SPI = EV / PV
ETC = BAC - EV or (BAC - EV) / CPI
EAC = AC + ETC
EAC = BAC / CPI
VAC = BAC - EAC
% COMPLETE = EV / BAC x 100
% SPENT = AC / BAC x 100
CV% = CV / EV x 100
SV% = SV / PV x 100
The following are extracted from "PMP Resources":
The PMP exam is big on terminology. These are the basic Earned Value Terms you need to know. If you are studying to pass the PMP exam you should know these by heart and be able to derive them in case you are heartbroken. They really are fairly simple. In order from first to last:
BAC = Budget at Completion (Project budget)
AC = Actual Cost of the Work Performed
EV = Earned Value
EV = Budgeted Cost of the Work Performed
EV = % complete times BAC
PV = Planned Value
PV = Budgeted Cost of the Work Scheduled
CV = Cost Variance
CV = EV - AC
CPI = Cost Performance Index
CPI = EV/AC
SV = Schedule Variance
SV = EV - PV
SPI = Schedule Performance Index
SPI = EV/PV
EAC = Estimate at Completion
EAC = BAC/CPI
ETC = Estimate to Complete
ETC = EAC - AC
VAC = Variance at Completion
VAC = BAC - EAC
For project managers involved in initiating, planning, execution and closure of a project, the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the PMI may be the right Certification to pursue. In the IT field, the PMP may be right for managers who are heavily involved in areas such as software engineering or network design IT projects. The PMP certification demonstrates that a project manager understands the fundamentals of project management and can put them into practice.
Some Advantages:
Project Life Cycle divides the project into phases that provide better management control and the appropriate links to the ongoing operations of the organization and defines the beginning and end of the project.
Some important characteristics of Project Life Cycle are:
Question - 61
You are the project manager of a project which is scheduled to last for 18 months. You have elected to rent a piece of equipment for the duration of a project, even though you will need the equipment only for 6 months. The costs of the equipment rental per month are $120. This is an example of ___________.
1.Fixed Costs
2.Parametric Costs
3.Variable Costs
4.Parametric Budget
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : This is an example of Fixed Costs because $120 per month is fixed.
Question - 62
Three estimates are : Pessimistic (P) : 30 Most Likely (M) : 25 Optimistic (O) : 14 What is activity duration (PERT) ?
1.24
2.20
3.18
4.32
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. Activity duration (PERT)= (P + 4M + O) / 6 then (30+4*25+14)/6 = 144/6 = 24
Question - 63
If you are the project manager of a project and you changed the scope of a project by dropping some parts, you have ______________ the project.
1.Rewritten
2.Truncated
3.De scoped
4.Deleted
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : When you change the project plan by removing parts of the final deliverable, you have descoped the project.
Question - 64
What is the present value if the organization expects to make $500,000 three years from now and the annual interest rate is 4 percent?
1.$4000
2.$5000
3.$25000
4.$4500
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Present Value = FV/(1+R)n. FV is the future value, R is the interest rate, and n is the number of time periods. 500000/(5*5*5) = 4000.
Question - 65
___________ is the process of performing the work defined in the project management plan to achieve the project's objectives.
1.Define Scope
2.Perform Integrated Change Control
3.Direct and Manage Project Execution
4.Monitor and Control Project Work
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : Direct and Manage Project Execution is the process of performing the work defined in the project management plan to achieve the project's objectives. (PMBOK page no, 114)
Question - 66
You are the project manager for the large Project. You are identifying external dependencies for the activities with management team. Identifying external dependencies are done in ______?
1.Define Activities
2.Sequence Activities
3.Develop Schedule
4.Control Schedule
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : B is the correct answer. Identifying external dependencies are done in Sequence Activities.
Question - 67
You are the project manager and decided to outsource a part of the project to a vendor. You have offered a bonus to the vendor if the work is completed in two months. This is an example of _____________.
1.project incentive
2.project goal
3.fixed price contract
4.fixed budget
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : This is an example of project incentive.
Question - 68
Development activities of a software projects is depends on the third party vendor, who provides hardware for this activity. Is called ______.
1.external dependencies
2.internal dependencies
3.Discretionary dependencies
4.All of the above
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. external dependencies are usually outside of project team control. PMPBOK Page no 171.
Question - 69
You are the project manager of the MKTG Project. This project will last for 1 year and it has many stakeholders. How often should Identify Risks take place?
1.Once at the beginning of the project
2.Throughout the execution processes
3.Throughout the QA processes
4.Throughout the project
Correct Answers are : 4
Explanation : Identify Risks is an iterative process that should happen throughout the project life. Identify Risks is an iterative process, involving the project team, management team, stakeholders and subject matter experts.
Question - 70
Overtime associated with the execution effort of a project is estimated at 120 hours with probability 0.5, 250 hours with probability 0.6, and 300 hours with probability 0.3. What is the monetary value of the amount of overtime?
1.300 hours
2.670 hours
3.250 hours
4.100 hours
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : The Monetary Value of the amount of overtime is (120 x 0.5) + (250 x 0.6) + (300 x 0.3) = 300 hours.
Question - 71
If you are the project manager of a project and you break down the WBS into smaller _______ to get detail so that you can construct a schedule.
1.Work packages
2.Section
3.Issues
4.Time
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. The work packages give you the detail you need to construct a schedule.
Question - 72
Which of the following tools are used in the quality plan?
1.Quality Checklists
2.Quality audits
3.Histogram
4.Process Analysis
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Quality Checklists are used in the quality plan.
Question - 73
You are a project manager of a construction company. You want to know with whom you will be communicating during the project. Which of the below document you should refer to?
1.Project Plan
2.Scope Statement
3.Statement of Work
4.Project Charter
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : The project plan say what, when, and how much you will communicate. It also says with whom you will communicate during the project.
Question - 74
You are the project manager for a project to create a new product for the marketing industry. You recently came to know that a competitor is also working on a similar project with an additional web-based tool, which your project does not offer. You initiate a change request to update your project. This is an example of:
1.A change due to an external event
2.A change due to an error and omission in the initiation phase
3.A change due to an error or omission in the planning phase
4.A change due to a legal issue
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : The change is requested to remain competitive with the competition an external event.
Question - 75
A project team member, on his own initiative, added a new tool which was not part of the project plan. However, the team member decided that the tool was necessary to increase productivity. The project team's experts were in agreement with the decision. This is an example of _________?
1.Ineffective change control
2.Control Costs
3.Self led teams
4.Value added change
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : The project team member did not follow the change management plan's method of incorporating changes into the scope. This is an example of Ineffective change control.
Question - 76
You are the project manager for the large Project. You have identified and documented relationship among the project activities and created project schedule network diagram. What is your NEXT step ?
1.Define Activities
2.Sequence Activities
3.Develop Schedule
4.Control Schedule
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : C is the correct answer. project schedule network diagram is input of Develop Schedule. PMBOK Page no 168.
Question - 77
You are a project manager and the project is to install ACs into hotel rooms. You did project cost and time estimates and informed the customer that the project estimates will be accurate if the requirements such as wooden coating are met. This is an example of which of the following?
1.Risk
2.Assumption
3.Constraint
4.Budget analysis
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : This is an example of assumption because estimates provided will be accurate if the rooms meet the requirements like (wooden coated). A and C are incorrect because the scenario did not describe a risk or constraint.
Question - 78
Change Request is an input of _________.
1.Define Scope
2.Perform Integrated Change Control
3.Direct and Manage Project Execution
4.Monitor and Control Project Work
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : Change Request is an input of Perform Integrated Change Control. (PMBOK page no, 104)
Question - 79
If the project is terminated early, then the level and extent of completion should be documented. This is done as a part of:
1.Collect Requirements
2.Control Scope
3.Verify Scope
4.Define Scope
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : Verify Scope
Question - 80
You are the project manager and have been assigned a new project. You have a good relation with the sponsor and senior management. Your senior management and sponsor forcing you to start the project imediately. What is your response ?
1.Start project imediately because your senior management is asking the same.
2.Require a project charter be written and signed off on by all stakeholders before proceeding.
3.Suggest that a scope statement be written.
4.Suggest that a project plan should be written.
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : The project should be start with a project charter that authorizes the project to begin, assigns the project manager, and describes the project objectives and business need for the project.
Question - 41
Which of the following are output of the Collect Requirements Process?
1.Requirements Documentation
2.Requirements Management Plan
3.Requirements Tractability Matrix
4.All of the above
Correct Answers are : 4
Explanation : The output of Collect Requirements Process are: requirements documentation (stakeholders needs), the requirements management plan (how the requirements will be analyzed and documents), and the requirements traceability matrix (tracking of requirements throughout the project).
Question - 42
In which of the quality management process, cause and effect diagram is used to illustrate how various factors might be linked to potential problems or effects?
1.Plan Quality
2.Perform Quality Assurance
3.Perform Quality Control
4.Quality
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : The cause and effect diagram is a tool and technique to perform Quality Control . PMBOK Page no 222.
Question - 43
You are a project manager of a large project and you are identifying some alternative techniques to generate different approaches to execute and perform the work of a project. You are doing it as a part of:
1.Collect Requirements
2.Control Scope
3.Verify Scope
4.Define Scope
Correct Answers are : 4
Explanation : This is call an Alternative Identification in the Define Scope process.
Question - 44
At what part of the Procurement Management process does procurement negotiations happen?
1.Plan Procurements
2.Conduct Procurements
3.Administer Procurements
4.Close Procurements
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : The negotiations happen at the Conduct Procurements of the Procurement process.
Question - 45
Which type of contract has the highest risk for the seller?
1.Reimbursed time
2.Time and materials
3.Fixed price
4.Reimbursed cost
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : In Fixed price contract, the seller assumes the greatest risk because the price is fixed and not going to change. Fixed price- A fixed total price for a well-defined product may include incentives for meeting or exceeding selected project objectives.
Question - 46
Which of the following is NOT part of the Perform Quality Control process?
1.fishbone diagram
2.Quality audits
3.Pareto Diagram
4.Histogram
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : Quality audits are part of the Perform Quality Assurance process.
Question - 47
Who should be consulted when establishing communication requirements in addition to stakeholders?
1.The customer
2.The project manager
3.The sponsor
4.Management
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : The project manager should be consulted when establishing communication requirements in addition to stakeholders because project manager has very important role in establishing communication requirements.
Question - 48
You are a project manager of a company and you are assigned to a project that has already decided to be outsourced. As a project manager, you need to organize a formal bid process and select the vendor for this project. You own stock in one of the vendor companies who also participated in the bidding process. What is the BEST course of action for you?
1.Get the vendor company selected for the project.
2.Keep the information to yourself.
3.Tell your manager and remove yourself from the vendor selection committee.
4.Ask other members of the selection committee to select your vendor company.
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : The best option is to tell your manager and remove yourself from the vendor selection committee.
Question - 49
Which of the following communication method is widely used to explain complex problems?
1.Written
2.Verbal
3.Formal
4.Non formal
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Written is the best option.
Question - 50
You are the project manager and you have to choose the best project from available choices. Which of the folowing is the BEST choice?
1.Benefit cost ratio (BCR) of project A is 2.5
2.Benefit cost ratio (BCR) of project B is 2.1
3.Benefit cost ratio (BCR) of project C is 0.6
4.Benefit cost ratio (BCR) of project D is 1.5
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Benefit cost ratio (BCR) : A ratio describing the relationship between the cost and benefits of a proposed project. A BCR less than 1 is unfavorable; the higher the BCR, the better.
Question - 51
You are project manager and need as many as inputs is possible in the initiation phase. Which of the following is the best source of information for your project?
1.Historical Information
2.WBS
3.Business Plans
4.Project Closure Document
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Historical information is the best input for the initiation phase. WBS is incorrect as the WBS would not be ready. Business is incorrect as business plans are not a likely input to the initiation process.
Question - 52
In which of the following contract types the seller's profit is limited?
1.Cost-plus-percentage-cost contract
2.Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract
3.Firm Fixed price contract
4.Fixed-price-incentive fee contract
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract and Cost-plus-incentive-fee contract where seller's profit is limited
Question - 53
You have elected to use parametric modelling in your Estimate Costs for the project. Which one of the following is an example of parametric modelling?
1.$120 per kg
2.Historical information from a similar project
3.Estimates built from bottom-up based on the WBS
4.Estimates based on top-down budgeting
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is correct; $120 per ton is an example of parametric modelling. Parametric modelling: Using project characteristics (or parameters) in a mathematical model to predict costs (e.g., price per square foot). B is incorrect, as historical information is analogous, not parametric. C is incorrect; bottom-up estimating is not a parametric modelling. D is incorrect, top-down budgeting is related to analogous estimating .
Question - 54
When the performing organization lacks in-house staff to complete a project, the required services can be acquired from outside. This is called ________.
1.Virtual Teams
2.Acquisition
3.Pre-Assignment
4.All of the above
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : B is the correct answer. Acquisition: When the performing organization lacks the in house staff needed to complete the project, the required services can be acquired from outside sources.
Question - 55
A project manager determines the number and types of tests and their impact on cost of quality. This task belongs to ___ process.
1.Plan Quality
2.Perform Quality Control
3.Perform Quality Assurance
4.Identify risk
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Determining the number and types of tests and their impact on cost of quality is called Design of experiments which is done in Plan Quality process. PMBOK page no 228.
Question - 56
Control chart helps:
1.determine if the process is "in control"
2.how various elements of a system are interrelated
3.show trends in a process over time
4.shows the pattern of a relationship between two variables
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Control Charts: Control charts are graphic display of the results over a time of a process. They are used to determine if the process is "in control".
Question - 57
You are a project manager for a project. While reviewing the cost estimates for the project, you notice that one of the cost estimates for an element in the WBS is 20% higher than the previous project for a very similar work. What should you do next?
1.Accept the estimate.
2.Ask the person responsible about the difference.
3.Ignore it.
4.Reduce the estimate.
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation :
Best option is to ask the person responsible about the difference and create the most accurate estimate that is practical.
Question - 58
Which of the following is a common problem in administrative closure?
1.Completing a project charter
2.Retaining resources to complete the project
3.Completing a project plan
4.Completing a QA plan
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : The biggest problem is retaining team members until closure of the project.
Question - 59
A unilateral contract under which the seller is paid a preset amount per unit of service is called __________
1.A cost reimbursable contract
2.A lump sum contract
3.A time and material contract
4.A fixed price contract
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : A unilateral contract under which the seller is paid a preset amount per unit of service is called time and material contract.
Question - 60
Your project has a budget of $10,000 and is expect to last for 1 year, with the work and budget spread evenly across all months. Right now CPI is 0.8. What is Variance at Completion in this case?
1.-$2,500
2.$10,000
3.$12,500
4.$12,000
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Variance at Completion = BAC - EAC Estimate at Completion (EAC) = BAC / CPI = $10,000 / .8 = $12,500 Variance at Completion = $10,000 - $12,500 = -$2,500
Question - 21
Which one of the following best describes the analogous estimating?
1.Less accurate
2.Reserve analysis
3.Bottom up estimating
4.Three-points estimates
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Analogous estimating is less accurate than other estimating methods.
Question - 22
__________includes all activities designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of the project team.
1.Training
2.Ground Rule
3.Reward and Recognition System
4.Recognition System
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. Training: Includes all activities designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of the project team. Ground Rules: Ground rules establish clear expectations regarding acceptable behavior by project team members.
Question - 23
Some risks that are output of ________ will be the candidates for further study.
1.Perform qualitative risk analysis
2.Perform quantitative risk analysis
3.Plan Risk Management
4.Identify Risks
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Some risks that are output of Qualitative Risk Analysis will be the candidates for further study during the Quantitative Risk Analysis.
Question - 24
Which of the following is NOT the input of Direct and Manage Project Execution process?
1.Project Management Plan
2.Approved Change Requests
3.Enterprise Environmental Factors
4.Project Charter
Correct Answers are : 4
Explanation : Project Charter is not an input of Direct and Manage Project Execution process. Inputs of Direct and Manage Project Execution process are: Project Management Plan, Enterprise Environmental Factors, Approved Change Requests, and Organizational Process Assets (PMBOK Page no, 104)
Question - 25
You are project manager of a project and you have decided to CRASH the project. Which of the following is the most likely outcome of this ?
1.increased cost
2.added risk
3.increased project time
4.doing activities in parallel
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. CRASHING is reducing project time by expending additional resources. Therefore option A is true.
Question - 26
Changing the project plan to eliminate the risk and protect the project objectives is called ____________.
1.Avoidance
2.Transference
3.Mitigation
4.Share
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Changing the project plan to eliminate the risk and protect the project objectives is called Avoidance.
Question - 27
Make-or-Buy Analysis is done in the_______.
1.Plan Procurements
2.Conduct Procurements
3.Administer Procurements
4.Close Procurements
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Make-or-Buy Analysis is done in the Plan Procurements process.
Question - 28
Which of the following helps to determine the probability of completing the project?
1.Monte Carlo Analysis
2.Impact Analysis
3.Qualitative Risk Analysis
4.Quantitative Risk Analysis
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Monte Carlo Analysis: A schedule risk assessment technique that performs a project simulation many times in order to calculate a distribution of likely results.
Question - 29
You have an urgent requirement on your project and you hire a vendor to start the work immediately. What contract is needed now?
1.Letter contract
2.Fixed fee
3.Incentive contract
4.Fixed Budget
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : For an immediate work, a letter contract may be sufficient.
Question - 30
Work Performance Information is output of________.
1.Define Scope
2.Perform Integrated Change Control
3.Direct and Manage Project Execution
4.Monitor and Control Project Work
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : Work Performance Information is output of Direct and Manage Project Execution. (PMBOK page no, 115)
Question - 31
_________are simillar to control chart without displayed limits.
1.Run charts
2.Pareto charts
3.Ishikawa diagrams
4.Histograms
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Run chart is simillar to control chart without displayed limits. PMBOK Page no 242.
Question - 32
SWOT analysis is done in _________.
1.Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis
2.Identify Risks
3.Plan Risk Responses
4.Plan Risk Management
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : SWOT analysis is done in Identify Risks process. (PMBOK page no 305.)
Question - 33
Which of the following is NOT Tools and Techniques in Quantitative Risk Analysis?
1.Expected Monetary Value Analysis
2.Decision Tree Analysis
3.Sensitivity Analysis
4.Influence Diagram
Correct Answers are : 4
Explanation : Influence Diagram is a technique to identify risks.
Question - 34
Which estimating technique is most accurate?
1.Bottom-up estimating
2.Analogous estimating
3.Parametric modelling
4.None of the above
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Bottom-up estimating: Estimating the cost of individual work items and then rolling up the costs to arrive at a project total is more accurate.
Question - 35
Performance appraisal, recruitment, retention, regulatory issues, and labor relations are generally used in the________ area.
1.General management
2.Administrative
3.Project Management
4.Accounting
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Skills such as performance appraisal, recruitment, retention, regulatory issues and labor relations are generally considered more administrative than management oriented.
Question - 36
Probabilistic Analysis of a project, probability of achieving cost and time objectives and trends in Quantitative Risk Analysis results are done during _______.
1.Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis
2.Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis
3.Plan Risk Management
4.Identify Risks
Correct Answers are : 2
Explanation : Probabilistic analysis of a project, probability of achieving cost and time objectives and trends in Quantitative Risk Analysis results are done during Quantitative Risk Analysis.
Question - 37
You are the project manager for the large Project. You are currently busy with approximating number of work periods required to complete individual activities with estimated resources. Which of the following inputs you need for this ?
1.Activity List
2.Activity resource requirements
3.Resource Calendars
4.All of the above
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : C is the correct answer. Approximating number of work periods required to complete individual activities with estimated resources is done in Estimate Activity Duration process. Activity List,Activity resource requirements and Resource Calendars are inputs of Estimate Activity Duration process. PMBOK Page no 177.
Question - 38
You are newly appointed as a project manager of an ongoing project. You want to see the role, authority, responsibility and competencies of all the resources working in the project. Which of the following document lists all the above information?
1.Scope statement
2.Project Charter
3.Human Resource Plan
4.WBS
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : C is the correct answer. Human Resource Plan lists role, authority, responsibility and competencies of all the resources working in the project. PMBOK Page no 253.
Question - 39
One activity will be delay three weeks and that will affect the project completion date. Who will approve the change ?
1.Change control board
2.project manager
3.Senior management
4.Team member
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. Change control board approve the change.
Question - 40
Cost benefit analysis is done in the ___________process:
1.Plan Quality
2.Perform Quality Assurance
3.Perform Quality Control
4.All of the above
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Cost benefit analysis is done in the Plan Quality process.
Question - 1
Your company has been hired to configure software in 500 computers. All computers need equal time to configure. You calculate the time to configure each computer as 5 hours. The cost for labour is calculated at $500 each computer. Your Project Sponsor disagrees with your labour estimate. Why is so?
1.You haven't completed one computer yet, so you don't know how long the work will actually take.
2.You have not factored in all of the effort applied to the work.
3.You have not considered the law of diminishing returns.
4.You have not considered the learning curve.
Answers : 4
Explanation : 4 is the best choice. As the project team completes more and more units, the time to configure a computer should take less and less time.
Question - 2
Which of the following statement is true about Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?
1.It identifies the project elements that require resources.
2.It is used to organize the cost estimates and to ensure that the cost of all identified work has been estimated.
3.It provides the relationship among all the components of the project and the project deliverables.
4.All of the above
Answers : 4
Explanation : Work breakdown structure (WBS): It identifies the project elements that require resources, used to organize the cost estimates and to ensure that the cost of all identified work has been estimated, and provides the relationship among all the components of the project and the project deliverables.
Question - 3
Templates and forms which are available in the organization and are part of organization's ________ project plan development.
1.Assumptions
2.Constraints
3.Software
4.Methodology
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Templates and forms which are available in the organization are reusable components. Any resource that can be reused as a useful tool is part of the total methodology of project planning.
Question - 4
You are a project manager of a project. Customer has requested a change which will increase the project risk. What is your NEXT step?
1.Analyze the impact of the change.
2.Report to Senior Management.
3.Report to Sponsor.
4.Change the Risk Management Plan.
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Your first task is to analyze the impact of the change.
Question - 5
Which of the following is part of the Perform Quality Assurance process?
1.Benchmarking
2.Cost of Quality
3.Design of experiments
4.Quality audits
Correct Answers are : 4
Explanation : Quality audits are part of the Perform Quality Assurance process.
Question - 6
You are a project manager and you are currently finalizing requirements with two stakeholders BUT both stakeholder have different views on requirements for the same project. How can you resolve the issue ?
1.look at why there is different view on requirements and discuss with both of them
2.look at why there is different view on requirements and finalize which looks good to you
3.ask your manager to deal with this
4.finalize requirement which looks good to you
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Best is "look at why there is different view on requirements and discuss with both of them and try to resolve the issue". Option is C is an example of avoidance. Option B and D is example of forcing.
Question - 7
You are managing a project. This project must satisfy industry standards in order to be accepted by the customer. You and your team have studied the requirements and have created a plan to implement the deliverables with the level of quality. This process is called ________.
1.Quality Control
2.Quality assurance
3.Plan Quality
4.All of the above
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : Plan Quality: Identifying the quality standards that are relevant to the project and determining how to meet them.
Question - 8
____________ is the process of predicting future project performance based on the actual performance to date.
1.Variance Analysis
2.Issue Analysis
3.Pareto Analysis
4.Forecasting
Correct Answers are : 4
Explanation : Forecasting is the process of predicting future project performance based on the actual performance to date, PMBOK page no 300.
Question - 9
The first way to solve a conflict between team members is:
1.Let them resolve it
2.Sponsor resolves it
3.Project Manager resolves it
4.Top Management resolves it
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. Let the people involved in the conflict work it out first.
Question - 10
The RFP (Request for proposal) is done in the_______.
1.Plan Procurements
2.Conduct Procurements
3.Administer Procurements
4.Close Procurements
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : RFP(Request for proposal) is done in Plan Procurements process,
Question - 11
Your project has a budget of $240,000 and is expect to last for 1 year, with the work and budget spread evenly across all months. The project is now in the fourth month, the work is on schedule, but you have already spent $120,000 of the project budget. What is your COST Variance in this case?
1.-$40,000
2.$40,000
3.$240,000
4.$2300
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Cost Variance = Earn Value - Actual Cost Earn Value = (Total Cost/total project months) * total months completed = ($240,000 / 12)*4=$80,000 CV = $80,000 - $120,000 = -$40,000
Question - 12
Procurements audits is done in _______ .
1.Plan Procurements
2.Conduct Procurements
3.Administer Procurements
4.Close Procurements
Correct Answers are : 4
Explanation : Procurements audits are done in Close Procurements. PMBOK page no 345.
Question - 13
An activity which is in critical path is delayed. What should you do ?
1.Compress the schedule
2.Scope cut
3.Inform customer about delay
4.Deliver uncompleted activity
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. Compress the schedule is the best option.
Question - 14
Given the following estimates: Optimistic 3 days, Pessimistic 9 days, and most likely 6 days. What is the PERT weighted average?
1.6
2.4
3.6.3
4.6.1
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : Optimistic = Co, most likely = Cm, Pessimistic = Cp. PERT weighted average = (Co + 4Cm + Cp)/6 = (3+4*6+9)/6 = 36/6 = 6
Question - 15
Which plan describes when and how human resources will be brought onto, and taken off of, the project team?
1.Scope management plan
2.Risk management plan
3.Staffing Management Plan
4.All of the above
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : C is the correct answer. Staffing Management Plan - Describes when and how human resources will be brought onto, and taken off of, the project team.
Question - 16
You are project manager of a software project. Your team member want to technical change to a activity which will add more time to that activity. What should you do ?
1.Check the activity is in critical path
2.Allow team member to change the activity
3.Report to senior management
4.Ignore change in activities.
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. Check the activity is in critical path is the best option.
Question - 17
As a project manager of a project , you have just completed Schedule network diagram. What should you do NEXT time management activity?
1.Estimate Activity Resources
2.Sequence Activities
3.Estimate Activity Durations
4.Develop Schedule
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. Schedule network diagram is an output of Sequence Activities, NEXT process is Estimate Activity Resources.
Question - 18
Your project activity float is negetive 10. What is your course of action ?
1.add more resources
2.ask more time to complete the project
3.use less experienced team members
4.Ignore It.
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A is the correct answer. Negetive activity float means your project is behind. Add more resource is best option.
Question - 19
Identifying the quality standards that are relevant to the project and determining how to meet them is called _________.
1.Quality Control
2.Quality Assurance
3.Plan Quality
4.All of the above
Correct Answers are : 3
Explanation : Plan Quality: Identifying the quality standards that are relevant to the project and determining how to meet them.
Question - 20
A data point in a control chart that requires investigation is called:
1.a special cause
2.a quality fault
3.a rule of seven
4.a rule of five
Correct Answers are : 1
Explanation : A data point in a control chart that requires investigation is called a special cause.
(161) Project risk is characterized by three factors: Answer: C Answer: D Answer: C Answer: B Answer: C Answer: A Answer: C Answer: A Answer: B Answer: B Answer: B Answer: B Answer: C Answer: B Answer: C Answer: A Answer: C Answer: D Answer: E Answer: B Answer: E Answer: D Answer: A Answer: A Answer: E Answer: E Answer: D Answer: A Answer: B Answer: D Answer: E Answer: A Answer: B Answer: E Answer: B Answer: C Answer: E Answer: D Answer: C Answer: E
(162) Name the ethical code you'll be required to adhere to as a PMP:
(163) Which is not another term for contract?
(164) Which of the following situations describes a violation of the PMP. Professional Code of Conduct?
(165) You are working in a country where it is customary to exchange gifts between contractor and customer. Your company code of conduct clearly states that you cannot accept gifts from any client. Failure to accept the gift from this client may result in termination of the contract. The action to take in this case would be:
(166) An example of a conflict of interest would be:
(167) Your project is running out of cash and significant work remains. You are directed by senior management to instruct your people to use another project's charge numbers while working on your project. You should:
(168) Project Managers can contribute to their organization's knowledge base and to the profession of project management most effectively by:
(169) For a festival, you give your government client a leather brief case. You are in violation of the responsibility to:
(170) You have just changed jobs and discovered that your new employer routinely violates OSHA/EPA and affirmative action requirements on projects. You should:
(171) During your assignment as project manager you add a new member to your project team. This new team member was recently hired from a competitor and offers to share a substantial amount of proprietary information from his previous company. This information could put you and your team in a very strong position for future business. You are aware of a non-compete clause in the new hire's condition of employment. You should:
(172) Before reporting a perceived violation of an established rule or policy the project manager should:
(173) A response to a negative risk event is known as a:
(174) Qualitative Risk Analysis will be performed under :
(175) Acquire Project team process will be performed under:
(176) The terms "Facilitating Processes" and "Core Processes" are no longer used in new PMBOK. These terms have been eliminated to ensure that all project management processes in the Project Management Process Groups have the same level of importance.
(177) In a group of 4 members, 1 member has been added. How many communication channels are there now :
(178) Which statement is correct :
(179) Which of the following is not an input to Develop Project Charter:
(180) Which of the following is a tool used to Create WBS:
(181) Which of the following is not an input to Activity Definition process:
(182 ) Which of the following is not an output of Activity Resource Estimating:
(183) Which of the following is a tool used in Activity Duration Estimating:
(184) Crashing, and Fast tracking are techniques used in the following process:
(185) Which is not a technique used for cost estimation :
(186) Which is not a tool used in Quality Planning process :
(187) What are three tools used in Quality Control Process:
(188) Which of the following Human Resource process generates Roles & Responsibilities :
(189) Co-Location is a techniques which means:
(190) Manage Stakeholders is a part which of the following process group:
(191) Which is not correct about Communications Management Plan document:
(192) Which is not a tool used for Risk Response Planning:
(193) Advertising is a technique used in which of the following process:
(194) Which of the following definition is not correct:
(195) Which of the following definition is not correct:
(196) Which of the following is not correct:
(197) Which of the following is not correct :
(198) Most schedule simulations are based on some form of which of the following?
(199) What is critical path?
(200) In the communication process, "noise" is the word used to describe factors and forces inhibiting the exchange of information between two or more parties. Noise includes all of the following but __________