Program Management Professional Trivia 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which program performance domain focuses on identifying, analyzing, and responding to events that could affect program outcomes?
- Program stakeholder engagement
- Program risk management (Correct answer)
- Program benefits management
- Program governance
Correct answer: Program risk management
Program risk management is the domain concerned with systematically addressing uncertainties that could positively or negatively impact program objectives.
Question 2: What is a 'benefits map' in program management?
- A geographic display of stakeholder locations
- A visual tool linking program activities and outputs to intermediate outcomes and ultimate strategic benefits (Correct answer)
- A risk register formatted as a heat map
- A chart showing cost vs. benefits over time
Correct answer: A visual tool linking program activities and outputs to intermediate outcomes and ultimate strategic benefits
A benefits map illustrates the cause-and-effect chain from program work to deliverables, intermediate outcomes, and final strategic benefits.
Question 3: When a program manager negotiates shared resources between two component projects experiencing conflict, which skill is being applied?
- Scope management
- Integrated change control
- Stakeholder engagement
- Resource optimization (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Resource optimization
Resource optimization techniques are used to balance resource demand and supply across program components, resolving conflicts through negotiation and prioritization.
Question 4: Which document formally authorizes a program and grants the program manager authority to use organizational resources?
- Program management plan
- Statement of work
- Program charter (Correct answer)
- Business case
Correct answer: Program charter
The program charter is the formal authorization document that establishes the program's existence and grants the program manager authority to proceed.
Question 5: What is the correct sequence of the Program Life Cycle phases according to PMI?
- Definition, Delivery, Closure (Correct answer)
- Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring, Closure
- Concept, Development, Implementation, Close-out
- Pre-program setup, Program delivery, Program closure
Correct answer: Definition, Delivery, Closure
PMI's Standard for Program Management defines the program life cycle as Definition, Delivery (Benefits Delivery), and Closure.
Question 6: A program manager discovers that a completed component's benefit is not being realized by the receiving business unit. What should be done first?
- Escalate immediately to the steering committee
- Reopen the component project
- Investigate why the benefit gap exists and engage the business unit stakeholders (Correct answer)
- Update the lessons learned register
Correct answer: Investigate why the benefit gap exists and engage the business unit stakeholders
Understanding the root cause of a benefits gap and engaging stakeholders responsible for sustainment is the first appropriate response before escalation.
Question 7: Which artifact formally documents the expected benefits, metrics, and timelines for measuring program success?
- Program management plan
- Program benefits management plan (Correct answer)
- Stakeholder engagement plan
- Program charter
Correct answer: Program benefits management plan
The program benefits management plan defines what benefits will be delivered, how they will be measured, and when they are expected to be realized.
Program Management Professional Trivia 3
Which program performance domain focuses on identifying, analyzing, and responding to events that could affect program outcomes?