COM Project Management Fundamentals 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A stakeholder requests a significant change to project scope after the project has begun. What is the correct first step?
- Implement the change immediately to satisfy the stakeholder
- Evaluate the change impact and submit it through the change control process (Correct answer)
- Reject the change since scope is already defined
- Update the project charter to include the new scope
Correct answer: Evaluate the change impact and submit it through the change control process
All scope changes must be assessed for impact on cost, schedule, and quality, then submitted through the formal integrated change control process.
Question 2: Which project management process group includes activities to complete the work defined in the project management plan?
- Planning
- Initiating
- Executing (Correct answer)
- Monitoring and Controlling
Correct answer: Executing
The Executing process group encompasses the work performed to satisfy project requirements and produce the project deliverables.
Question 3: What does a negative Schedule Variance (SV) indicate in Earned Value Management?
- The project is under budget
- The project is ahead of schedule
- The project is behind schedule (Correct answer)
- The project scope has increased
Correct answer: The project is behind schedule
A negative SV (EV minus PV) means less work has been accomplished than was planned, indicating the project is behind schedule.
Question 4: A project manager holds a kickoff meeting at the start of a project. What is its primary purpose?
- To finalize the project budget
- To formally introduce the project to all stakeholders and align expectations (Correct answer)
- To identify all project risks
- To assign tasks to team members
Correct answer: To formally introduce the project to all stakeholders and align expectations
A kickoff meeting formally communicates the project's objectives, scope, and team roles to all stakeholders to establish a shared understanding.
Question 5: Which document authorizes the project and formally recognizes the project manager's authority?
- Project scope statement
- Project management plan
- Project charter (Correct answer)
- Stakeholder register
Correct answer: Project charter
The project charter is the document issued by the project sponsor that formally authorizes the project and grants the project manager authority to apply resources.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a RACI matrix in project management?
- To map project risks to categories
- To clarify roles and responsibilities for project activities (Correct answer)
- To track project costs
- To schedule project milestones
Correct answer: To clarify roles and responsibilities for project activities
A RACI matrix defines who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each project task to prevent confusion about roles.
Question 7: Which type of project organizational structure gives the project manager the MOST authority?
- Functional
- Weak matrix
- Balanced matrix
- Projectized (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Projectized
In a projectized organization, team members report directly to the project manager, who has full authority over resources and decisions.
COM Project Management Fundamentals 3
A stakeholder requests a significant change to project scope after the project has begun.
What is the correct first step?