CPM Project Quality Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which quality control tool is used to determine whether a process is stable and operating within predictable limits over time?
- Pareto chart
- Control chart (Correct answer)
- Cause-and-effect diagram
- Histogram
Correct answer: Control chart
Control charts display process data over time against upper and lower control limits to determine if a process is stable and statistically predictable.
Question 2: A cause-and-effect diagram (Ishikawa/fishbone diagram) is primarily used to:
- Track defect frequency over time
- Identify potential root causes of a problem (Correct answer)
- Monitor process control limits
- Measure customer satisfaction levels
Correct answer: Identify potential root causes of a problem
The cause-and-effect diagram visually maps potential root causes of a defect or problem, organized by categories such as people, process, materials, and equipment.
Question 3: What is 'statistical sampling' used for in project quality control?
- To eliminate all defects from a deliverable through exhaustive review
- To inspect a representative subset of items rather than the entire population (Correct answer)
- To calculate the project's total cost of quality
- To assign performance ratings to quality team members
Correct answer: To inspect a representative subset of items rather than the entire population
Statistical sampling inspects a representative portion of a population, providing reliable quality data more cost-effectively than 100% inspection.
Question 4: In a quality control chart, what does a 'control limit' represent?
- The maximum budget allowed for quality activities
- The statistical boundary beyond which a process is considered out of control (Correct answer)
- The minimum acceptable performance level agreed with the client
- The target value for all project deliverables
Correct answer: The statistical boundary beyond which a process is considered out of control
Control limits define the expected range of variation for a stable process; data points outside these limits signal potential process instability requiring investigation.
Question 5: During project execution, a quality audit is best described as:
- A financial review of quality-related expenditures
- A structured review to identify gaps between current practices and quality standards (Correct answer)
- A final inspection of deliverables before customer handover
- A survey to gauge customer preferences for product features
Correct answer: A structured review to identify gaps between current practices and quality standards
A quality audit systematically examines whether quality processes are being followed correctly and identifies areas for improvement and compliance.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of using a 'checklist' as a quality control tool?
- To track the frequency of stakeholder communications
- To ensure consistent completion of all required quality steps (Correct answer)
- To measure individual team member performance
- To document and prioritize project risks
Correct answer: To ensure consistent completion of all required quality steps
Checklists are structured tools that ensure all required quality steps are completed consistently, reducing the likelihood of omissions or errors.
Question 7: When should quality control activities ideally begin in a project?
- Only after all deliverables are fully complete
- During the project planning phase before any work begins
- As work products are being produced throughout the project (Correct answer)
- Only when defects are formally reported by the customer
Correct answer: As work products are being produced throughout the project
Quality control activities should occur throughout the project as work products are produced, enabling early detection and less costly correction of defects.
CPM Project Quality Management 2
Which quality control tool is used to determine whether a process is stable and operating within predictable limits over time?