Management and Supervision Flashcards
7 cards from real CFPT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Management and Supervision flashcards as text
When delegating a task, which element is most critical for the delegation to be effective?
Answer: Granting the employee sufficient authority to accomplish the task along with clear expectations
Effective delegation transfers both responsibility and the authority needed to carry it out, along with clear expectations for results.
Under the federal merit system principles, personnel decisions must be based on:
Answer: Relative ability, knowledge, and skills with fair and open competition
The merit system principles, codified in 5 U.S.C. § 2301, require that all personnel actions be based on job-related qualifications and fair competition.
A supervisor discovers a subordinate has been falsifying official time records. The most appropriate first step is to:
Answer: Document findings thoroughly and consult with HR and legal counsel before taking action
Premature action without documentation and HR guidance can expose the agency to grievances or legal challenges; proper procedure protects both the agency and due process rights.
Which of the following is a prohibited personnel practice under federal law?
Answer: Taking a personnel action as reprisal against a whistleblower
Whistleblower retaliation is explicitly prohibited under the Whistleblower Protection Act and listed as a prohibited personnel practice in 5 U.S.C. § 2302.
The concept of 'span of control' refers to:
Answer: The number of subordinates a supervisor can effectively manage
Span of control determines the number of direct reports one supervisor can effectively oversee, influenced by task complexity and employee experience.
A supervisor who micromanages subordinates primarily risks:
Answer: Reduced employee morale, initiative, and professional development
Micromanagement signals distrust, stifles employee growth, and typically leads to disengagement and turnover.
The primary distinction between a manager and a first-line supervisor in a federal agency is:
Answer: Managers typically oversee other supervisors or broader programs, while first-line supervisors directly manage frontline employees
First-line supervisors have direct oversight of non-supervisory employees, while managers typically coordinate through subordinate supervisors or oversee larger organizational units.