Project Execution & Delivery Flashcards

A deliverable has been completed but the customer refuses to formally accept it. The project manager should FIRST:

Answer: Review the acceptance criteria and understand the basis for rejection

Understanding why the customer rejected the deliverable against agreed acceptance criteria is the necessary first step.

Which tool is used during project execution to identify the root cause of a quality defect?

Answer: Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram

A fishbone diagram identifies potential root causes of a problem by exploring categories like people, process, equipment, and environment.

A project manager discovers that a subcontractor is not meeting contractual obligations during execution. The BEST response is to:

Answer: Document the issue and work with the subcontractor to resolve it per contract terms

Contracts typically outline remediation steps before termination; documenting and working within contract terms is the proper approach.

During execution, team velocity is lower than planned. What is the MOST appropriate corrective action?

Answer: Analyze root causes of the velocity gap and implement targeted corrective actions

Identifying root causes ensures the corrective action addresses the actual problem rather than symptoms.

What does the term 'gold plating' refer to in project execution?

Answer: Delivering extra features or functionality beyond agreed scope without authorization

Gold plating adds unauthorized scope enhancements that can consume resources and create scope creep without stakeholder approval.

Which of the following is an example of a preventive action during project execution?

Answer: Adding a code review step before integration to prevent defect injection

Preventive actions proactively reduce the probability of future negative events, such as adding reviews before problems occur.

A project sponsor requests a verbal status update outside the formal communication plan. The project manager should:

Answer: Provide the verbal update and then document it per the communication plan

Providing the update maintains stakeholder relationships while documenting it ensures the communication plan integrity is preserved.