Mixed Deck — All PMP Topics Flashcards

A project team uses Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize a manufacturing process. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this technique?

Answer: To statistically identify which variables most influence process outcomes

DOE is a statistical method used to systematically vary input factors and measure their effect on output, identifying critical variables.

During Control Quality, the team discovers that five deliverables have defects that can be repaired. These items are logged as:

Answer: Validated defects requiring defect repair

Defects identified during Control Quality are documented and tracked so they can be repaired and then re-inspected.

Which engagement level describes a stakeholder who is aware of the project and its potential impacts but neither supportive nor resistant?

Answer: Neutral

A 'Neutral' stakeholder is aware of the project and its impacts but has not taken a supportive or resistant stance.

In which type of contract does the buyer assume the highest level of cost risk, as the seller's profit increases directly with the project's costs?

Answer: Cost Plus Percentage of Cost (CPPC)

The Cost Plus Percentage of Cost (CPPC) contract places the maximum cost risk on the buyer. In this contract type, the seller is reimbursed for all allowable costs, and their fee is calculated as a percentage of those costs. This creates a negative incentive for the seller to control costs, as higher costs lead to a higher profit. Due to this high risk for the buyer, CPPC contracts are rarely used.

In a hybrid project, the team uses Kanban for ongoing maintenance work alongside a waterfall phase for a major regulatory deliverable. What is the PRIMARY benefit of this arrangement?

Answer: Each work stream uses the method best suited to its nature

Hybrid approaches allow organizations to apply the most suitable method to each distinct type of work within the same project.

A project manager is using a Power/Interest Grid to classify stakeholders for a large construction project. A stakeholder is assessed as having high power but low interest in the project's day-to-day activities. According to best practices, how should the project manager engage with this stakeholder?

Answer: Keep Satisfied

For stakeholders with high power and low interest, the appropriate strategy is to 'Keep Satisfied.' These stakeholders have the ability to significantly impact the project, but they don't need to be involved in every detail. The project manager should ensure their needs are met and they are satisfied with the project's progress without overwhelming them with information. 'Manage Closely' is for high power/high interest stakeholders. 'Keep Informed' is for low power/high interest, and 'Monitor' is for low power/low interest.

Which document describes the type, format, and expected content of project status reports?

Answer: Communications management plan

The communications management plan specifies the format, frequency, and content of project status reports and other communications.

A project team is creating a WBS for a software development project. They are unsure how many levels to include. The BEST guidance is:

Answer: Decompose until work packages can be reliably estimated and assigned

The WBS should be decomposed to the level where work can be reliably scheduled, cost-estimated, monitored, and controlled.

A project manager is dealing with a team member who habitually arrives late to meetings. After private coaching, the behavior continues. What is the NEXT step?

Answer: Document the behavior and escalate to the functional manager per organizational policy

After private coaching fails, formal documentation and escalation through HR or functional management is the appropriate next step.

In the Agile Practice Guide, which leadership style is recommended for agile team leaders?

Answer: Servant leadership

Servant leadership, which prioritizes the team's needs and removes impediments, is the recommended style for agile environments.

A PM is working on a project in a country with a very different cultural background than their own. How should this affect stakeholder engagement?

Answer: Adapt communication styles and engagement strategies to respect cultural norms

Cultural awareness requires adapting engagement approaches to respect local norms, values, and communication preferences for effective stakeholder management.

A product owner wants to add a high-priority feature mid-sprint. What is the CORRECT Scrum response?

Answer: The Development Team decides whether to accept it or negotiate with the Product Owner

Only the Development Team can decide what goes into a sprint; they may negotiate scope with the Product Owner while protecting the sprint goal.

A project is experiencing resource shortages on non-critical path activities. What should the project manager do FIRST?

Answer: Perform resource smoothing on non-critical activities

Resource smoothing optimizes resource usage within float available on non-critical activities without changing the critical path or end date.

A project manager is preparing a cost estimate for a new software development project. Due to the high level of uncertainty in the initial stages, the project manager uses the costs from a similar, completed project as a basis for the estimate. Which estimating technique is being used?

Answer: Analogous Estimating

Analogous estimating uses historical data and expert judgment from a similar past project to estimate costs for a current project. It is a form of expert judgment, is generally less costly and time-consuming than other techniques, but is also less accurate. It is most useful when there is limited detailed information about the current project.

A project team is developing a new financial services application. To comply with anticipated data privacy regulations and build customer trust, the team decides to invest in advanced encryption mechanisms, which are more costly than the current legal minimum. This investment is an example of what?

Answer: A cost of conformance.

The cost of conformance includes all expenses incurred to ensure that the project's deliverables meet the required quality standards and specifications, thereby preventing failures. This proactive investment in advanced encryption is a prevention cost, which is a key component of the cost of conformance, aimed at avoiding non-compliance and its associated penalties.

What is the PRIMARY purpose of a Risk Register?

Answer: To record identified risks, their analysis, and planned responses

The Risk Register captures identified risks, probability/impact assessments, and response strategies.

During project execution, a customer requests an enhancement that would significantly improve the product. After analysis, the team determines it is out of scope. What is the CORRECT course of action?

Answer: Submit a change request and evaluate through the integrated change control process

All scope changes, even beneficial ones, must go through the integrated change control process before being implemented.

During project closure, the project manager should ensure which of the following is completed?

Answer: Lessons learned are documented and archived

Capturing and archiving lessons learned is a key closure activity that supports organizational learning and future projects.

Midway through a software development project, a project manager discovers that a key stakeholder from the finance department has not been identified. This stakeholder is now expressing significant concerns about the project's budget and potential impact on their department's resources. What is the project manager's most appropriate first step?

Answer: Add the new stakeholder to the stakeholder register and perform a stakeholder analysis.

The correct first step when a new stakeholder is identified is to add them to the stakeholder register. This official project document lists all identified stakeholders. Following this, a stakeholder analysis should be performed to understand their interests, influence, and expectations. This analysis is crucial before developing engagement strategies or updating other plans.

Tuckman's team development model stages in order are:

Answer: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning

Tuckman's model progresses through Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning as teams develop cohesion and effectiveness.