Project Management & Execution Flashcards
7 cards from real CSC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Project Management & Execution flashcards as text
A senior consultant is managing a project where the client repeatedly bypasses the project manager and gives direction to team members. The BEST response is:
Answer: Establish clear communication protocols and reinforce the chain of command with all parties
Establishing communication protocols prevents scope creep, conflicting directions, and accountability gaps on complex engagements.
Which document formally authorizes a project and grants the project manager authority to apply resources?
Answer: Project Charter
The Project Charter is the official authorization document issued by the project sponsor that officially initiates the project.
Fast-tracking as a schedule compression technique differs from crashing because fast-tracking:
Answer: Performs sequential activities in parallel, increasing risk
Fast-tracking overlaps activities that were planned sequentially, which can reduce duration but introduces increased risk of rework.
A senior consultant notices team morale declining midway through a long engagement. Which action is MOST likely to address root causes rather than symptoms?
Answer: Conduct individual check-ins to identify specific concerns and address workload or clarity issues
Individual check-ins uncover specific root causes such as unclear direction, overload, or interpersonal conflict that surface-level incentives cannot fix.
The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is BEST described as:
Answer: A hierarchical decomposition of total project scope into manageable work packages
The WBS breaks total scope into progressively smaller components to 100% of deliverables, enabling cost and schedule estimation.
When a project has a high number of external dependencies outside the consultant's control, the MOST appropriate risk strategy is to:
Answer: Document assumptions, create contingency plans, and establish early warning triggers
Documenting assumptions and building contingency triggers allows proactive management even when external factors cannot be directly controlled.
Which quality management approach focuses on preventing defects rather than inspecting for them after the fact?
Answer: Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance focuses on process audits and improvements to prevent defects from occurring, while Quality Control detects defects in outputs.