CAE Project Planning & Execution 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A workforce training coordinator wants to ensure a new onboarding curriculum is completed on time. Which project management tool best displays task dependencies and timeline in a visual format?
- RACI matrix
- Gantt chart (Correct answer)
- Fishbone diagram
- Force field analysis
Correct answer: Gantt chart
A Gantt chart visually maps tasks, durations, and dependencies along a timeline, making it ideal for monitoring project schedules.
Question 2: During the planning phase of an adult education program, a facilitator identifies that a key instructor may be unavailable mid-project. This is best documented in a:
- Communications plan
- Risk register (Correct answer)
- Scope statement
- Budget variance report
Correct answer: Risk register
A risk register captures identified risks, their likelihood, impact, and mitigation strategies so the team can proactively address them.
Question 3: An adult education program manager is launching a certificate course and must define what the project will and will NOT include. This is called:
- Project charter
- Needs assessment
- Scope definition (Correct answer)
- Logic model
Correct answer: Scope definition
Scope definition establishes the boundaries of the project, clarifying what deliverables are included and explicitly excluding out-of-scope items.
Question 4: A CAE practitioner is midway through a workforce literacy program and discovers actual costs are significantly exceeding the budget. Which metric should she calculate first?
- Return on investment
- Cost variance (Correct answer)
- Net promoter score
- Break-even point
Correct answer: Cost variance
Cost variance (CV = Earned Value − Actual Cost) quantifies the budget deviation, helping the manager understand the magnitude of the problem.
Question 5: When building a project team for a multi-site adult literacy program, assigning each task to exactly one accountable person is the purpose of a:
- SWOT analysis
- RACI matrix (Correct answer)
- Stakeholder map
- WBS dictionary
Correct answer: RACI matrix
A RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) clarifies ownership of tasks and prevents duplication or gaps in responsibility.
Question 6: An adult educator leading a grant-funded program must submit a final report showing outcomes versus original objectives. Which project document best supports this comparison?
- Meeting minutes
- Logic model (Correct answer)
- Project charter
- Resource histogram
Correct answer: Logic model
A logic model links program inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes, making it straightforward to compare intended and actual results for funders.
Question 7: A project kickoff meeting for a new GED preparation program should accomplish which PRIMARY purpose?
- Finalize the project budget
- Align all stakeholders on goals, roles, and timeline (Correct answer)
- Train instructors on curriculum content
- Collect post-program evaluation data
Correct answer: Align all stakeholders on goals, roles, and timeline
A kickoff meeting establishes shared understanding of project objectives, responsibilities, and schedule among all key stakeholders at the start.
CAE Project Planning & Execution 2
A workforce training coordinator wants to ensure a new onboarding curriculum is completed on time.
Which project management tool best displays task dependencies and timeline in a visual format?