General Project Management Fundamentals 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project manager is using fast-tracking to compress the schedule. This means:
- Reducing the scope to shorten the timeline
- Adding more resources to critical path activities
- Performing activities in parallel that were originally sequential (Correct answer)
- Eliminating non-critical activities
Correct answer: Performing activities in parallel that were originally sequential
Fast-tracking overlaps activities that would normally be done in sequence, which can reduce duration but increases risk.
Question 2: What is the difference between a risk and an issue in project management?
- Risks are always negative; issues can be positive or negative
- A risk is an uncertain future event; an issue is a current problem that has already occurred (Correct answer)
- Risks are tracked by the sponsor; issues are tracked by the PM
- There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
Correct answer: A risk is an uncertain future event; an issue is a current problem that has already occurred
A risk is a potential future event with uncertainty; once it occurs and requires action, it becomes an issue.
Question 3: Which stakeholder engagement level means a stakeholder is aware of the project but resistant to change?
- Unaware
- Resistant (Correct answer)
- Neutral
- Supportive
Correct answer: Resistant
The Resistant engagement level describes stakeholders who know about the project but actively oppose it or the changes it brings.
Question 4: When is the cost of making changes LOWEST during a project lifecycle?
- During the executing phase
- During the monitoring and controlling phase
- During the initiating and planning phases (Correct answer)
- During the closing phase
Correct answer: During the initiating and planning phases
Changes cost significantly less early in the project because little work has been done and fewer resources have been committed.
Question 5: A project manager wants to identify which risks deserve the most attention. Which technique produces a Heat Map or Probability-Impact Matrix?
- Quantitative risk analysis
- Qualitative risk analysis (Correct answer)
- Risk identification
- Risk monitoring
Correct answer: Qualitative risk analysis
Qualitative risk analysis uses a Probability and Impact Matrix to prioritize risks based on their likelihood and potential effect.
Question 6: What does the term 'gold plating' mean in project management?
- Paying premium prices for high-quality materials
- Adding extra features beyond what the customer requested (Correct answer)
- Using expensive risk mitigation strategies
- Awarding team members with performance bonuses
Correct answer: Adding extra features beyond what the customer requested
Gold plating occurs when team members add unrequested features or enhancements, consuming resources without authorized scope.
Question 7: Which communication model component explains why the same message can be interpreted differently by different people?
- Encoding
- Channel noise
- Decoding (Correct answer)
- Feedback
Correct answer: Decoding
Decoding is the receiver's process of translating the message, which is filtered by their personal knowledge, culture, and experience.
General Project Management Fundamentals 4
A project manager is using fast-tracking to compress the schedule.
This means: