CCM Professional Practice and Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A CM firm's proposal for a large public project prominently features the resume of a senior project manager with unique qualifications.
After the proposal is submitted but before the client makes a selection, that manager resigns.
What is the firm's most ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify the client in writing of the personnel change and propose an equally qualified replacement.

Answer

Wait until the firm is shortlisted before notifying the client of the personnel change.

Answer

Proceed with the selection process and, if awarded the contract, replace the manager with a different employee.

Answer

Withdraw the proposal from consideration to avoid any potential misrepresentation.

Question 2

A Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is serving on a public agency's selection committee to evaluate proposals for a new project. The CCM discovers that a close family member is a principal in one of the submitting firms. According to the CMAA Code of Ethics, what is the CCM's primary responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Fully disclose the potential conflict of interest to the public agency and offer to recuse themselves from the evaluation process.

Answer

Score the affiliated firm's proposal harshly to avoid any appearance of favoritism.

Answer

Remain on the committee but refrain from voting on the specific proposal from the affiliated firm.

Answer

Continue serving without disclosure, trusting their own objectivity to make a fair assessment.

Question 3

Which of the following actions best demonstrates a CCM's fulfillment of their ethical obligation to the public?

Accepted Answer

Halting work on a portion of the site after discovering what could be a historically significant artifact, despite the schedule impact, and notifying the proper authorities.

Answer

Prioritizing the project schedule above all other factors to ensure timely delivery of a public facility.

Answer

Recommending a contractor's value engineering proposal that saves the client money but uses materials that do not meet the community's long-term sustainability goals.

Answer

Keeping a minor, non-threatening safety violation confidential to avoid work stoppage and negative publicity for the project.

Question 4

During project closeout for a technology firm, a CCM gains access to confidential information about the client's upcoming proprietary manufacturing process. A few months later, the CCM is approached to manage a project for a direct competitor. What is the CCM's ethical duty regarding the confidential information?

Accepted Answer

The CCM can accept the new project but must scrupulously protect and not use or disclose any confidential information from the former client.

Answer

The CCM must decline the project with the competitor to avoid any possible conflict.

Answer

The CCM may use the general knowledge of the process to demonstrate expertise to the new client, without revealing specific details.

Answer

The CCM should inform the original client of the new opportunity and ask for permission to use the information.

Question 5

According to the CMAA Code of Ethics, which of the following is a primary responsibility a CCM owes to the profession?

Accepted Answer

Contributing to the advancement of the profession by sharing knowledge and encouraging fellow practitioners.

Answer

Ensuring their firm's profitability to support the employment of other professionals.

Answer

Maintaining the confidentiality of lessons learned to secure a competitive advantage.

Answer

Prioritizing the client's interests above all other considerations, including professional standards.

Question 6

A subcontractor on a project informs the CCM in confidence that their firm is facing severe financial difficulty and may not be able to procure specified long-lead items. The subcontractor asks the CCM not to share this information with the owner. The CCM should:

Accepted Answer

Inform the owner of the potential risk to the project schedule and budget while maintaining the confidentiality of the subcontractor's specific financial details.

Answer

Honor the subcontractor's request for confidentiality and hope they resolve the issue.

Answer

Immediately recommend the owner terminate the subcontractor for cause.

Answer

Offer the subcontractor a loan from the project contingency to solve their cash-flow problem.