PM Test Center

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).

Which of the following statements about project scope and product scope is true?

A. Product scope ensures effective flow of a project while project scope is used to create a product.
B. Project scope and product scope can be used synonymously.
C. Product scope cannot be used to describe a project but project scope can be used to describe a product.
D. Project scope refers to work that needs to be accomplished to create a product; product scope refers to features that characterize a product.

Answer: D. Project scope refers to work that needs to be accomplished to create a product; product scope refers to features that characterize a product.
All other choices are false.

During the life cycle of a project, a project manager may distribute information using a wide range of tools. Which of the following is not one of them?

A. Sending a press release
B. Writing an email to a team member
C. Using project management software to schedule tasks
D. Watching an instructional video for your consumer

Answer: D. Watching an instructional video for your consumer
Although all the choices involve communication, watching an instructional video does not involve distributing information for the project manager since he would simply be the receiver in this case. The point is, there are many ways to distribute information; in addition to the choices, you could also have hard copy documents, databases, faxes, phone and voice mail, collaborative web sites, and various software, just to name a few.

While interviewing for a project manager position, you are asked which motivation attitude you have, Theory X or Theory Y. You state that your style is closer to the Theory Y approach and because you:

A. Encourage team members to realized their own maximum potential
B. Prefer to closely monitor your team members
C. Believe your team members can strive to achieve and are capable of self-motivation
D. Promote company loyalty and care about your team members on the job as well as during non-working hours

Answer: C. Believe your team members can strive to achieve and are capable of self-motivation
Theory X is the belief that employees are lazy and will do as little as possible to keep their jobs. Since they do not like to work, they require heavy supervision. Conversely, Theory Y assumes that employees are ambitious and can enjoy work; they are willing to take ownership of problems and creatively solve them without much direction. The reality is that these two theories are extremes and although a project manager may gravitate toward one end of the spectrum, her approach is likely somewhere in between. Maximum potential refers to the self-actualization layer of Maslows hierarchy of needs while company loyalty describes Theory Z.

During a critical juncture of a project, Gary decides to bring his project team from several local offices to a single location for two weeks. That way, they can work more closely together to ensure the milestone is on-time and on-budget. This is called:

A. Pre-assignment
B. Enterprise environmental factors
C. Virtual team
D. Co-location

Answer: D. Co-location
Co-location, or tight matrix, simply means keeping the project team all in the same physical place. This could be permanent or temporary but the goal is to improve team communication.

Which of the following is not true regarding conflict in a team environment?

A. Conflict should focus on personalities, not issues
B. Conflict should focus on the present, not the past
C. Conflict is natural and forces a search for alternatives
D. Openness resolves conflict

Answer: A. Conflict should focus on personalities, not issues
Conflict should focus on issues, not personalities.

After a thorough search, the vendor selection team used various evaluation techniques and finally chose a seller for the core deliverable. Which process did they just complete?

A. Close Procurements
B. Administer Procurements
C. Conduct Procurements
D. Plan Procurements

Answer: C. Conduct Procurements
Two primary outputs of the Conduct Procurements process are typically a selected seller and a contract award.

Which is the following is not true about RACI?

A. RACI is a type of RAM.
B. RACI can be used to show roles on a project.
C. RACI stands for review, action, correct, investigate.
D. RACI is a matrix-based chart.

Answer: C. RACI stands for review, action, correct, investigate.
RACI is a matrix-based chart, a tool and technique for the Develop Human Resource Plan process. It is a type of RAM (Responsibility Assignment Matrix) and uses R (responsible), A (accountable), C (Consult), and I (Inform), to display expected roles for the project team.

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.