Mixed Deck — All CPC Topics Flashcards

When should quality planning activities occur in a project?

Answer: Early in the project, concurrently with other planning activities

Quality planning is integrated into the overall project planning phase so quality standards are established before work begins.

Which cost component is directly tied to the amount of work performed and increases as more work is done?

Answer: Variable cost

Variable costs change in proportion to the volume of work, such as materials consumed or hours worked.

A scatter diagram is used in quality management to:

Answer: Show the potential relationship between two variables

Scatter diagrams plot pairs of data to visually reveal whether a correlation exists between two factors.

Which contract type provides the seller with an incentive fee for meeting or exceeding performance targets?

Answer: Fixed Price Incentive Fee (FPIF)

FPIF contracts reward sellers with additional fees when they meet defined performance or cost targets, aligning incentives.

A project coordinator discovers two team members are in open conflict. The BEST first action is to:

Answer: Meet with both parties together to facilitate a direct resolution

Direct confrontation (collaborative problem solving) is the most effective conflict resolution approach in project management.

Tuckman's model describes the stages of team development in what order?

Answer: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning

Tuckman's model charts how teams evolve from initial orientation through conflict, cohesion, peak performance, and dissolution.

When decomposing scope in a WBS, you should stop breaking down work when:

Answer: The work can be reliably estimated, assigned to one owner, and completed within a reporting period

Decomposition is sufficient when work packages are small enough to estimate, assign, and track without further breakdown.

How can a project manager ensure an efficient scheduling process?

Answer: Setting realistic milestones

An efficient scheduling process relies heavily on setting realistic milestones. Milestones are significant points in a project's timeline that mark the completion of major deliverables or phases. By making these milestones achievable and well-defined, project managers can create a practical schedule that accounts for actual work effort and potential challenges, thereby avoiding unnecessary delays and rework.

Which conflict resolution approach results in a 'lose-lose' outcome?

Answer: Compromising

Compromising requires both parties to give up something, resulting in a partial win for each but a fully satisfying outcome for neither.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs suggests that project managers should FIRST address:

Answer: Basic physiological and safety needs before higher-level motivators

Maslow's model shows that lower-level needs (safety, basic needs) must be satisfied before higher-level motivators take effect.

How can effective risk mitigation improve project outcomes?

Answer: By reducing potential impacts and improving project stability

Effective risk mitigation significantly improves project outcomes by actively reducing the potential negative impacts of identified risks. By implementing strategies to lessen the probability or severity of these risks, project stability is enhanced, leading to fewer disruptions and unexpected challenges. This proactive approach helps ensure the project stays on schedule, within budget, and meets its objectives more reliably.

What is the relationship between change management and version control in project documentation?

Answer: Version control supports change management by tracking document revisions and maintaining historical records

Version control supports change management by ensuring that each revision of a project document is tracked, making it possible to reference prior versions and maintain integrity.

A project coordinator receives a vendor invoice that does not match the agreed deliverable milestones. The appropriate action is to:

Answer: Reject the invoice and formally request a corrected invoice aligned to contract terms

Invoices must match contract terms; accepting non-compliant invoices undermines contract integrity and financial controls.

A change request has been approved. What is the project coordinator's NEXT responsibility?

Answer: Update relevant project documents and baselines to reflect the approved change

After a change is approved, the project coordinator must update all affected project documents, including the baselines, to reflect the approved modification.

What is a key component of risk management?

Answer: Risk assessment and mitigation

A key component of risk management is the systematic process of risk assessment and mitigation. Risk assessment involves analyzing identified risks to determine their likelihood and potential impact on the project. Mitigation then involves developing and implementing strategies to reduce the probability or impact of these risks, thereby protecting the project from adverse outcomes.

A Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 0.8 means the project is:

Answer: Getting only $0.80 of schedule value for every $1.00 of planned work—behind schedule

SPI = EV / PV; a value below 1.0 indicates the project is behind schedule relative to the plan.

What is scope creep?

Answer: The uncontrolled addition of features or work without proper change management

Scope creep occurs when requirements expand incrementally without formal approval, threatening schedule and budget.

What is the critical path method in project scheduling?

Answer: It identifies tasks that are critical for timely project completion

The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project scheduling technique used to determine the longest sequence of activities that must be completed on time for the entire project to be completed on time. Tasks on the critical path have no float or slack, meaning any delay in these tasks will directly delay the entire project. Identifying the critical path helps project managers focus resources and attention on these crucial activities to ensure timely completion.

Which of the following inputs is MOST essential when evaluating the impact of a proposed change on the project schedule?

Answer: The schedule baseline

The schedule baseline is the approved version of the project schedule used to measure and compare the impact of any proposed schedule changes.

The Cost Performance Index (CPI) is calculated as:

Answer: EV divided by AC (Earned Value ÷ Actual Cost)

CPI = EV / AC; a CPI above 1 means the project is getting more value per dollar spent than planned.