PM Test Center

You are planning a series of programming tasks and you know that your quality engineers will be testing the code after the programmers have completed the code. This is an example of:

A. Finish-to-start
B. Finish-to-finish
C. Start-to-start
D. Start-to-finish

Answer: A. Finish-to-start
In this example, programmers must complete the code before the testing begins. As a result, there is a finish-to-start relationship. The predecessor determines when the successor can begin, in other words, the testing cannot start until the programmers have finished the code.

One of the outputs of the close project process is:

A. Verify scope
B. Performance report
C. Final product transition
D. Risk register

Answer: C. Final product transition
Final product, service, or result transition is one of two outputs for Close Project (the other is organizational process assets updates). Verify Scope is a process in the monitoring and controlling process group.

Key components of a basic communication model are:

A. Encode, message and feedback-message, medium, noise, decode
B. Sender, message, receiver
C. Inputs, tools & techniques, outputs
D. Sender, encode, message and feedback-message, decode, receiver

Answer: A. Encode, message and feedback-message, medium, noise, decode
According to the PMBOK®, key components are encode, message and feedback-message, medium, noise, decode. All other choices are “noise”.

While gathering requirements for a new community playground, you realize that the best thing for you to do is to create conceptual models and get approvals from the board after each step. What term best describes the models that you are creating?

A. Focus groups
B. Pilots
C. The Delphi technique
D. Prototypes

Answer: D. Prototypes
Prototypes is a tool & technique of the Collect Requirements process. Prototyping allows you to get a unfinished, working model approved before actually building the product. This is a valuable checkpoint can be tangible (e.g. miniature model) or intangible (e.g. CAD drawing) and can be crucial in obtaining early feedback during requirements.

Jamie, the project manager for creating a new product, recognizes that she will need help estimating. Since she has not managed a project like this before, she decides she will review past projects that company has completed for other products. This is an example of:

A. Analogous estimating
B. PERT
C. Expert judgment
D. Parametric estimating

Answer: A. Analogous estimating
Analogous estimating leverages historical information from a previous similar project. It is typically used when there are limited details on the project.

One of your monthly reports claim that your project has a SV of -1000. How would you describe it to your sponsor?

A. The project is behind schedule
B. The project is ahead of schedule
C. Impossible to have a negative SV
D. Not enough information

Answer: A. The project is behind schedule
SV (schedule variance) is simply a measure of how the project is performing in terms of schedule. A positive number is good, ahead of schedule, while a negative number is bad, behind schedule. SV is derived from EV (earned value) minus PV (planned value).

One of your monthly reports claim that your project has a CV of 2000. How would you describe it to your sponsor?

A. The project is $2000 over budget
B. The project is $2000 under budget
C. CV of anything over 1000 is irrelevant
D. Not enough information

Answer: B. The project is $2000 under budget
CV (cost variance) is simply a measure of how the project is performing in terms of cost. A positive number is good, under budget, while a negative number is bad, over budget. CV is derived from EV (earned value) minus AC (actual cost).

You released an RFP but several of the prospective suppliers have questions regarding some of the scope. You determine that the best way to listen to their concerns and convey your message is to have a(n):

A. Invitation for bid
B. Qualified supplier list
C. Bidders conference
D. Independent estimate

Answer: C. Bidders conference
A bidders conference is a meeting with suppliers to ensure they have a good understanding of the procurement document.

While developing a charter, you are asked to consider enterprise environmental factors. These may include all of the following except:

A. Historical information
B. Marketplace conditions
C. Government standards
D. Industry standards

Answer: A. Historical information
Enterprise environmental factors can include government standards, industry standards, organization infrastructure, and marketplace conditions. Historical information is an organizational process asset.

You are a project manager for a new client. To help you get acclimated more quickly, she directs you to their organizational process assets in the company archives. You know that when you locate that directory, you will likely find:

A. Industry standards
B. Historical information
C. Financial data
D. Market conditions

Answer: B. Historical information
Organizational process assets typically include processes, policies, templates, and historical information. They are essential inputs and outputs for many processes.