ME or MEng Master of Engineering Master of Engineering Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project manager notices that a critical path activity is running two weeks behind schedule. Which response is most appropriate?
- Ignore it and hope the team catches up
- Crash the schedule by adding resources to critical path tasks (Correct answer)
- Extend the project deadline immediately
- Remove scope from non-critical activities
Correct answer: Crash the schedule by adding resources to critical path tasks
Crashing adds resources to critical path tasks to reduce duration, directly addressing schedule delays on activities that affect the end date.
Question 2: In engineering management, the 'triple constraint' refers to which three competing project factors?
- Quality, Safety, and Environment
- Scope, Schedule, and Cost (Correct answer)
- Risk, Resources, and Requirements
- Design, Testing, and Deployment
Correct answer: Scope, Schedule, and Cost
The triple constraint (iron triangle) comprises Scope, Schedule, and Cost — changing one typically impacts the others.
Question 3: A manufacturing engineer is evaluating two production processes. Process A has fixed costs of $500K and variable cost of $10/unit. Process B has fixed costs of $200K and variable cost of $20/unit. At what volume is Process A preferred?
- Above 20,000 units
- Above 30,000 units (Correct answer)
- Above 15,000 units
- Above 50,000 units
Correct answer: Above 30,000 units
Setting 500,000 + 10Q = 200,000 + 20Q gives Q = 30,000 units; above this volume, Process A's lower variable cost wins.
Question 4: Which leadership style is most appropriate when managing a highly skilled, experienced engineering team on a well-defined project?
- Autocratic — issue directives and monitor closely
- Delegative — empower the team with minimal oversight (Correct answer)
- Transactional — reward compliance strictly
- Bureaucratic — follow all standard procedures rigidly
Correct answer: Delegative — empower the team with minimal oversight
Delegative (laissez-faire) leadership works best with expert, self-motivated teams who need autonomy rather than micromanagement.
Question 5: In systems engineering, a Functional Flow Block Diagram (FFBD) is primarily used to:
- Show physical interfaces between hardware components
- Sequence system functions in logical order of performance (Correct answer)
- Identify failure modes and their effects
- Allocate budget across subsystems
Correct answer: Sequence system functions in logical order of performance
FFBDs depict system functions in sequential and parallel flow, clarifying the operational logic before physical design begins.
Question 6: An engineering manager uses a RACI chart. What does the 'C' stand for, and what is the responsibility it describes?
- Controller — approves all decisions before action
- Consulted — provides input before decisions are finalized (Correct answer)
- Coordinator — schedules and tracks work assignments
- Completer — delivers the final work product
Correct answer: Consulted — provides input before decisions are finalized
Consulted (C) means the person provides expertise or input that must be gathered before a decision or action, creating a two-way communication flow.
Question 7: Which financial metric measures the ratio of net profit to total assets, indicating how efficiently a company uses its assets to generate earnings?
- Return on Equity (ROE)
- Return on Assets (ROA) (Correct answer)
- Net Present Value (NPV)
- Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT)
Correct answer: Return on Assets (ROA)
ROA = Net Income / Total Assets, measuring how effectively management converts asset investment into profit.
ME or MEng Master of Engineering Master of Engineering Management 2
A project manager notices that a critical path activity is running two weeks behind schedule.
Which response is most appropriate?