CAM Technology & Tools 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CAM's control account shows earned value in the cost tool, but the corresponding schedule activities show no status. Which tool discipline was violated?
- Statusing the schedule and cost system to the same data date (Correct answer)
- Using color coding in reports
- Backing up files weekly
- Password rotation policy
Correct answer: Statusing the schedule and cost system to the same data date
Cost and schedule systems must be statused consistently to the same data date so earned value and schedule progress agree.
Question 2: Which file-based mechanism is commonly used to move monthly performance data between a contractor's EVM system and government analysis tools?
- Handwritten memos
- Standardized electronic data formats such as the IPMDAR JSON/XML datasets (Correct answer)
- Screenshots of dashboards
- Voice recordings
Correct answer: Standardized electronic data formats such as the IPMDAR JSON/XML datasets
Standardized electronic formats defined by the IPMDAR allow machine-readable transfer of cost and schedule data to government analysis tools.
Question 3: What is the role of a schedule health check tool (e.g., a 14-point assessment utility) for a CAM?
- It approves the baseline automatically
- It flags logic gaps, high float, invalid dates, and other quality issues in the schedule (Correct answer)
- It calculates overhead rates
- It submits invoices
Correct answer: It flags logic gaps, high float, invalid dates, and other quality issues in the schedule
Schedule health tools run automated quality checks, such as missing logic and excessive float, so the CAM can fix issues before analysis.
Question 4: In EVM tools, what does mapping charge numbers to work packages accomplish?
- It ensures actual costs are collected at the level where earned value is claimed (Correct answer)
- It hides costs from auditors
- It converts currency automatically
- It shortens the critical path
Correct answer: It ensures actual costs are collected at the level where earned value is claimed
Charge number mapping ensures ACWP is collected in the same structure where BCWP is claimed, keeping performance measurement valid.
Question 5: A CAM wants to model the cost impact of a proposed change before it is approved. Which tool feature supports this best?
- What-if scenario or working-copy baseline functionality (Correct answer)
- Spell check
- Email distribution lists
- Font formatting
Correct answer: What-if scenario or working-copy baseline functionality
What-if or scenario capabilities let the CAM model changes in a working copy without corrupting the approved performance measurement baseline.
Question 6: Why do most EVM cost tools lock prior accounting periods after the monthly close?
- To save disk space
- To preserve the integrity of historical performance data and prevent retroactive changes (Correct answer)
- Because licenses charge per open period
- To force users to log out
Correct answer: To preserve the integrity of historical performance data and prevent retroactive changes
Locking closed periods prevents retroactive changes to historical data, a core EVMS integrity requirement.
Question 7: Which technology practice best supports a CAM during a customer surveillance review or Integrated Baseline Review (IBR)?
- Deleting old data to look clean
- Maintaining traceable, tool-generated reports linking the WBS, schedule, budgets, and actuals (Correct answer)
- Presenting only verbal summaries
- Restricting reviewers from the toolset
Correct answer: Maintaining traceable, tool-generated reports linking the WBS, schedule, budgets, and actuals
Traceable tool-generated artifacts demonstrating integration across WBS, schedule, and cost data are what reviewers examine during IBRs and surveillance.
CAM Technology & Tools 3
A CAM's control account shows earned value in the cost tool, but the corresponding schedule activities show no status.
Which tool discipline was violated?