Program Management Professional Practice 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A program is behind schedule and the sponsor wants to compress the timeline. Which approach should the program manager evaluate FIRST?
- Fast-tracking interdependent project phases
- Adding more resources to all component projects
- Crashing the critical path activities (Correct answer)
- Reducing program scope
Correct answer: Crashing the critical path activities
Crashing adds resources to critical path activities and is evaluated first because it targets schedule recovery with measurable cost trade-offs.
Question 2: A program manager uses a RACI chart. What does the 'C' represent in program governance?
- Controller
- Consulted (Correct answer)
- Coordinator
- Confirmed
Correct answer: Consulted
'Consulted' identifies stakeholders whose input is sought before a decision is made, ensuring informed governance.
Question 3: Which metric BEST indicates whether a program is delivering value relative to its strategic objectives?
- Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
- Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR)
- Cost Performance Index (CPI)
- Return on Investment (ROI) against planned benefits (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Return on Investment (ROI) against planned benefits
Comparing actual ROI against planned benefits directly measures whether the program is achieving its strategic value targets.
Question 4: During a program review, the governance board asks the program manager to justify continued investment. The program manager should present:
- Detailed project Gantt charts
- Updated business case with benefits realization progress (Correct answer)
- Resource utilization reports
- Risk register for each component project
Correct answer: Updated business case with benefits realization progress
An updated business case with benefits realization data gives the governance board the information needed to make a continued-investment decision.
Question 5: A program manager identifies a risk that, if it occurs, would affect three component projects simultaneously. This is BEST classified as:
- A project-level risk
- A program-level risk (Correct answer)
- A portfolio risk
- An operational risk
Correct answer: A program-level risk
A risk impacting multiple component projects is a program-level risk and must be managed at the program level.
Question 6: What is the PRIMARY purpose of the program management office (PMO) in a program context?
- Managing day-to-day deliverable production
- Providing governance, standards, and support across component projects (Correct answer)
- Approving the program charter
- Allocating portfolio resources
Correct answer: Providing governance, standards, and support across component projects
The PMO provides governance support, enforces standards, and assists component teams so the program operates consistently.
Question 7: A program manager is preparing for a phase-gate review. Which of the following is the MOST important input?
- Team performance appraisals
- Benefits realization status and alignment with strategic goals (Correct answer)
- Project budget variance reports
- Stakeholder satisfaction survey results
Correct answer: Benefits realization status and alignment with strategic goals
Phase-gate reviews assess whether the program should continue based on benefits progress and strategic alignment.
Program Management Professional Practice 3
A program is behind schedule and the sponsor wants to compress the timeline.
Which approach should the program manager evaluate FIRST?