CSI Project Management & Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a system integration project, the customer requests a feature not covered in the original scope. What process should the project manager follow?
- Implement it immediately to maintain customer satisfaction
- Submit a formal change request and assess impact on schedule and budget (Correct answer)
- Decline the request until the next project phase
- Redirect the request to the engineering team without documentation
Correct answer: Submit a formal change request and assess impact on schedule and budget
Formal change control processes ensure scope changes are evaluated for cost, schedule, and risk impact before approval.
Question 2: Which document type formally authorizes a project and names the project manager?
- Project management plan
- Statement of work
- Project charter (Correct answer)
- Risk register
Correct answer: Project charter
The project charter officially authorizes the project's existence and grants the project manager authority to apply resources.
Question 3: In a CSI project, the integration acceptance test plan should be developed:
- After system installation is complete
- During the design phase before coding or configuration begins (Correct answer)
- Only once customer sign-off is obtained
- Immediately before the final demonstration
Correct answer: During the design phase before coding or configuration begins
Developing acceptance test plans during design ensures that testability is built in and criteria align with requirements from the start.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a project communication plan?
- To document all risks identified during planning
- To define who receives what information, how often, and through which channel (Correct answer)
- To record minutes from all project meetings
- To outline the technical architecture of the integrated system
Correct answer: To define who receives what information, how often, and through which channel
A communication plan specifies stakeholder information needs, delivery frequency, format, and responsible parties to avoid miscommunication.
Question 5: A project manager notices the earned value (EV) is $80,000 and the planned value (PV) is $100,000. What does this indicate?
- The project is ahead of schedule
- The project is over budget
- The project is behind schedule (Correct answer)
- The project has completed 80% of work
Correct answer: The project is behind schedule
When EV < PV, the schedule performance index (SPI) is less than 1.0, meaning less work was accomplished than planned — the project is behind schedule.
Question 6: Which technique is used to identify the longest path of dependent activities that determines the minimum project duration?
- Gantt chart analysis
- Critical path method (CPM) (Correct answer)
- Monte Carlo simulation
- Work breakdown structure decomposition
Correct answer: Critical path method (CPM)
CPM identifies the critical path — the sequence of activities with zero float — which sets the earliest possible project completion date.
Question 7: During project closeout for a system integration engagement, which document captures lessons learned and best practices for future projects?
- Issue log
- Project charter
- Procurement management plan
- Project closure report (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Project closure report
The project closure report (or lessons-learned register) documents what worked well, what didn't, and recommendations to improve future projects.
CSI Project Management & Documentation 2
During a system integration project, the customer requests a feature not covered in the original scope.
What process should the project manager follow?