CPM Project Execution & Delivery 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During project execution, a key team member unexpectedly resigns. What should the project manager do FIRST?
- Immediately escalate to the project sponsor
- Assess the impact on schedule, cost, and quality before taking action (Correct answer)
- Hire a replacement contractor without informing stakeholders
- Reduce project scope to compensate for the resource loss
Correct answer: Assess the impact on schedule, cost, and quality before taking action
Assessing impact first allows the PM to make informed decisions and communicate accurate information to stakeholders.
Question 2: Which technique is used to compress a project schedule by performing activities in parallel that were originally planned sequentially?
- Resource leveling
- Fast tracking (Correct answer)
- Crashing
- Schedule baselining
Correct answer: Fast tracking
Fast tracking overlaps activities to shorten schedule duration, though it increases risk.
Question 3: A project manager notices that actual costs are consistently higher than planned costs. Which document should be updated to reflect this trend?
- Risk register
- Lessons learned log
- Cost forecast (Correct answer)
- Responsibility assignment matrix
Correct answer: Cost forecast
The cost forecast is updated with current performance data to project the final cost at completion.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a Work Authorization System (WAS) during project execution?
- To formally approve changes to the project scope
- To control when and in what sequence work is performed (Correct answer)
- To document stakeholder communication preferences
- To track earned value metrics
Correct answer: To control when and in what sequence work is performed
A Work Authorization System ensures work begins at the right time and in the correct sequence to prevent premature work.
Question 5: During execution, the team discovers a technical approach that differs from the project management plan. The project manager should:
- Allow the team to proceed since they are the technical experts
- Immediately stop all work and notify the sponsor
- Evaluate the deviation and submit a change request if needed (Correct answer)
- Update the project charter to reflect the new approach
Correct answer: Evaluate the deviation and submit a change request if needed
Deviations from the plan require evaluation and, if warranted, a formal change request through integrated change control.
Question 6: Which output of the Direct and Manage Project Work process provides information about work package status and deliverable completion?
- Change requests
- Work performance data (Correct answer)
- Project management plan updates
- Issue log
Correct answer: Work performance data
Work performance data is the raw observation and measurements from executing activities, such as percent complete and costs incurred.
Question 7: A team member reports that a deliverable meets technical specifications but the customer seems unhappy with it. The BEST course of action is to:
- Remind the customer the deliverable meets all contractual specs
- Conduct a quality audit on the deliverable
- Engage the customer to understand their expectations and address gaps (Correct answer)
- Escalate the issue to the project sponsor
Correct answer: Engage the customer to understand their expectations and address gaps
Customer satisfaction requires understanding unspoken expectations, not just meeting documented specs.
CPM Project Execution & Delivery 2
During project execution, a key team member unexpectedly resigns.
What should the project manager do FIRST?