Program Management Professional Program Life Cycle Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During which phase of the program life cycle is the program management plan developed?
- Program Benefits Delivery
- Program Closure
- Pre-program setup activities
- Program Definition (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Program Definition
The program management plan is developed during the Program Definition phase, establishing the baseline for executing and controlling all program activities.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a program phase gate review?
- To evaluate individual component project manager performance
- To authorize the program to proceed to the next phase, be modified, or be terminated (Correct answer)
- To reallocate program budget among component projects
- To update the program risk register with new threats
Correct answer: To authorize the program to proceed to the next phase, be modified, or be terminated
Phase gate reviews serve as formal decision points to evaluate program progress and authorize continuation to the next phase, modification, or termination of the program.
Question 3: During Program Closure, what typically happens to program components that are still active?
- They are immediately terminated regardless of their completion status
- They are transitioned to ongoing operations or other organizational units (Correct answer)
- They become fully independent projects outside the program structure
- They continue indefinitely under the existing program governance
Correct answer: They are transitioned to ongoing operations or other organizational units
During Program Closure, active components are typically transitioned to ongoing operations or other organizational units rather than being abruptly terminated.
Question 4: What typically initiates the Program Definition phase?
- Appointment of component project managers by the PMO
- Organizational strategic planning decisions and formal authorization of program funding (Correct answer)
- Completion of a detailed feasibility study by the finance team
- Identification of the first significant program risk
Correct answer: Organizational strategic planning decisions and formal authorization of program funding
The Program Definition phase is typically initiated by organizational strategic planning decisions and the formal authorization of program funding, often through a program mandate.
Question 5: How does the program life cycle relate to the life cycles of its component projects?
- Program and project life cycles are identical and always run simultaneously
- The program life cycle encompasses multiple component project life cycles that may overlap and occur at different times (Correct answer)
- Component projects must all start and end within the Program Definition phase
- Project life cycles are inherently longer than the overall program life cycle
Correct answer: The program life cycle encompasses multiple component project life cycles that may overlap and occur at different times
The program life cycle is broader and encompasses multiple component project life cycles, which may overlap, be staggered, and occur at various points during the program.
Question 6: When does the Program Benefits Delivery phase formally end?
- When all program funding has been exhausted
- When the last component has been closed or transitioned to ongoing operations (Correct answer)
- When the program sponsor formally declares success
- After a predetermined time limit established in the program charter is reached
Correct answer: When the last component has been closed or transitioned to ongoing operations
The Program Benefits Delivery phase formally ends when the last component has been closed or transitioned, signaling the beginning of the Program Closure phase.
Question 7: Which artifact serves as the key reference for ongoing program decision-making and change control throughout the program life cycle?
- Program Business Case
- Program Charter
- Program Management Plan (Correct answer)
- Program Roadmap
Correct answer: Program Management Plan
The program management plan serves as the key reference document for ongoing decision-making, change control, and performance measurement throughout the program life cycle.
Program Management Professional Program Life Cycle Management 2
During which phase of the program life cycle is the program management plan developed?