PM Test Center

Sally, made a testing error that cost the project several thousand dollars and a week delay. However, when the project sponsor learned of the mistake, he tells everyone that it must have been caused by something else because Sally is always careful. This is an example of:

A. Halo effect
B. Theory X
C. Theory Y
D. Motivation agent

Answer: A. Halo effect
The halo effect is the inclination of rating an individual highly on all aspects of his/her work.

While interviewing for a new job, the hiring manager tells you that there are perquisites tied to the position. Based on what you know about these benefits, these could include any of the following except:

A. Company car
B. Health plan
C. Office with windows
D. Use of executive cafeteria

Answer: B. Health plan
A perquisite (or perk) is a special reward. Not every employee is eligible to receive them.

Which of the following is an example of Herzberg’s Theory’s hygiene factors?

A. Career path within the company
B. Increased salary
C. Increased responsibility
D. Getting along with executives

Answer: B. Increased salary
According to Herzberg, hygiene factors can ruin motivation but does not improve motivation. Things like salary, status, benefits all help keep employees at their positions but will not improve their work.

During the Manage Project Team process, a common tool used to provide constructive feedback is:

A. Project performance appraisal
B. Ground rules
C. Training
D. Team-building activities

Answer: A. Project performance appraisal
Project performance appraisals can be used to during the project to provide a communication medium. They can be formal or informal and can be used to improve team performance, one individual at a time. All other choices are tools and techniques for the Develop Project Team process.

You were assigned a twelve-person team on your project so you decide to bring a RAM to your kick-off meeting. When asked by an intern how the RAM would help, you explain that it:

A. Provides a diagram that decomposes all work.
B. Reduces overall project costs by eliminating all outsourcing.
C. Minimizes delays to the schedule by overlapping tasks.
D. Ensures that there is only one person who is ultimately responsible for a task.

Answer: D. Ensures that there is only one person who is ultimately responsible for a task.
A Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) is used to show team members and their roles/responsibilities on the project. Used early in the life cycle, this table can reduce confusion on activities throughout the project.

Ouchi developed Theory Z as a hybrid organization. This concept states that management deems workers as trustworthy and capable of working without close supervision because:

A. Workers are motivated by a hierarchy of needs.
B. Management provides a supportive environment with lifetime employment.
C. Workers are threatened with job loss.
D. The government demands it from their people.

Answer: B. Management provides a supportive environment with lifetime employment.
Theory Z is a philosophy on collective responsibility, often times associated with a life-long commitment. It is based on trust so threats and demands are not part of the equation while a hierarchy of needs describe Theory X (low levels) and Theory Y (high levels).

Donna tells you she is extremely happy that her work was finally noticed. Her project manager sent a note to Donna’s manager about how wonderful her performance on the last project was. As a result, Donna was named Team Member of the Month for her department and received a gift card. In this example, the project manager exercised what type of power?

A. Formal
B. Reward
C. Expert
D. Recommendation

Answer: B. Reward
Reward power, one of the best forms of power, is when the project manager provides a reward for good performance. This can come in many forms, including accolades and gifts. The other types are formal, penalty, expert, and referent.

Steven, the assigned project manager, was given authority by his sponsor to not only staff resources to his team but also manage the team on a day-to-day basis. He decides that he will leverage his title and position to motivate his team to follow his lead. This is an example of what type of power?

A. Expert
B. Sponsorship
C. Leader
D. Formal

Answer: D. Formal
Formal, aka legitimate, is a project management power that is based solely on position; it is not one of the best forms of power. The other types are reward, penalty, expert, and referent.

The most common source of conflict on a project is:

A. Cost
B. Resources
C. Personality
D. Schedules

Answer: D. Schedules
In order of frequency, the most common source of conflict to the least common source of conflict: schedules, priorities, resources, technical opinions, administrative procedures, cost, personality. No need to memorize all of them but at least know the top two (schedules, priorities) and the last (personality).

Lisa is creating the human resource plan for her project. One important element that she wants to identify during this process is how she is going to staff the resources necessary to complete her scheduled tasks. What type of output does Lisa need as part of her human resource plan?

A. Negotiation
B. Pre-assignment
C. Staffing management plan
D. Acquisition

Answer: C. Staffing management plan
A staffing management plan is a subsidiary plan to the human resource plan. It describes how human resource needs are met. Among the choices, it is also the only output for Develop Human Resource Plan process; all other choices are tools and techniques for the Acquire Project Team process.