Project Management & Planning Flashcards

A consultant finds that the client keeps adding small requests that were not in the signed statement of work. What is this phenomenon called?

Answer: Scope creep

Scope creep is the uncontrolled growth of project scope without matching changes to time, cost, or resources.

Which document formally authorizes a project and gives the project manager authority to use organizational resources?

Answer: Project charter

The project charter formally authorizes the project and names the project manager's authority.

In a work breakdown structure (WBS), what is the lowest level of decomposition called?

Answer: Work package

The work package is the lowest WBS level, where cost and duration can be reliably estimated and managed.

An activity has zero total float. What does this indicate?

Answer: It is on the critical path

Activities with zero total float lie on the critical path, so any delay pushes out the project end date.

Which estimating technique uses a statistical relationship between historical data and variables, such as cost per square foot?

Answer: Parametric estimating

Parametric estimating multiplies a unit rate derived from historical data by the quantity of work.

A consulting project's Cost Performance Index (CPI) is 0.85. What does this mean?

Answer: The project is getting 85 cents of value for every dollar spent

CPI = EV/AC, so 0.85 means only $0.85 of planned value is earned per dollar spent, signaling a cost overrun.

What is the primary purpose of a RACI matrix in project planning?

Answer: To clarify roles and responsibilities for tasks

A RACI matrix shows who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each task or deliverable.