More Sample Questions (PMBOK 4th Edition)

More sample questions. Answers and more links at the end of the post.

Q1 - Project manager acts as a coordinator or expediter in -

A. Weak matrix organization
B. Strong matrix organization
C. Projectized organization
D. Functional organization


Q2 - Due to change in the objectives of an organization the decision was taken to terminate a project. Which of the following project should be terminated -

A. Project where deliverables have been rejected by the client
B. Project where client is satisfied but it does not have a project charter
C. Project where two of the critical resources have left the organization
D. Project which has failed quality control checks


Q3 - You have joined the project mid-way as a project manager as the earlier project manager left the organization. To understand the project success criteria and the sign-off authority, you will look at -

A. Project Statement of Work
B. Project Scope Statement
C. Project Charter
D. Project Management Plan


Q4 - A new technology to develop a software has arrived in the market. As a project manager, you have a visibility into the client's roadmap and are aware that this technology will be used in your project. As a proactive measure, you have trained your resources in that technology. You have implemented -

A. Corrective Action
B. Defect Repair
C. Preventive Action
D. Organization training policy


Q5 - Your team is just about to implement the design when one of your team member approaches you with a new design for software development. This design will reduce the development time by half What is the FIRST thing you will do -

A. Implement the new design
B. Assess the impact of the new design on scope, cost & quality
C. Prepare a change request and take it to change control board
D. Refuse to make any change in the design now


Q6 - Requirements traceability matrix is an output of -

A. Collect Requirements
B. Define Scope
C. Create WBS
D. Control Scope


Q7 - Project scope statement, WBS & WBS disctionary constitute -

A. Schedule Baseline
B. Cost Baseline
C. Risk Baseline
D. Scope Baseline


Q8 - Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of Project Charter -

A. It identifies the stakeholders and their role on the project
B. It provides detailed scope of work
C. It authorizes the project manager to work on the project and apply resources
D. It lists all the risks associated with the project


Q9 - You are working in a construction company and are developing project scope statement for a new project. Which of the following is NOT part of Define Scope -

A. Project Charter
B. Product Analysis
C. Scope Verification
D. Alternatives Identification


Q10 - Which of the following is NOT an output of Close Project Phase -

A. Project Files
B. Final product
C. Project Closure documents
D. Project Statement of Work




















Answers
Q1 - A - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P29, Sec 2.4.2

Q2 - B - A project does not have any existence without project charter, hence this should be closed

Q3 - C - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P78, Sec 4.1.3.1

Q4 - C - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P92, Sec 4.4.3.1

Q5 - B - Before taking any change request to Change control board, always assess the impact of the change on scope, cost, schedule and quality.

Q6 - A - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P111, Sec 5.1.3.3

Q7 - D - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P122, Sec 5.3.3.3

Q8 - C - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P73, Sec 4.1

Q9 - C - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P112, Sec 5.2

Q10 - D - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P101, Sec 4.6.3

Here are the links for more practice questions -

1. 3500 Question Exam Simulation CD-ROM
2. 1000 PMP Exam Questions with Explanations, 5 Full Length Exams: Based on PMBOK 4th Edition

For more sample questions, visit:

1. PMBOK Guide 4th Edition Sample Questions
2. My PMP sample questions

Important Topics for PMP exam - Part 3

Delegation is one of the important topics and features regularly in PMP exam. I will try to throw some light on this topic today.

What is delegation?
This is a process of distributing the work (authority) to the individuals working on the project without getting away from the responsibility. When the work is delegated, it is expected that the person accepting the work is reliable and will be held accountable for the end results of the assignments. However, the final responsibility still lies with the project manager.

Delegation is not about dumping the work or passing the buck. It should be noted that when the work is being delegated the right authority to complete that work is also delegated but a control is maintained.

Why Delegate?
Vijay Verma, the author of "The Human Aspects of Project Management: Organizing Projects for Success" says -

"Effective delegation is essential in a project environment because of tight schedules and scarce resources. It is important to delegate work in order to increase effectiveness and efficiency in managing a project, reducing the crisis atmosphere. Delegated tasks provide stimulus and opportunities to project team members, improving their participation and interest in the project and possibly opening new horizons for them. In addition, delegation creates more free time for the project manager to work on the most important and critical tasks, as well as, simply, more time to think. Creative thinking by the project manager and interested, challenged project team members helps to avoid the "one-person band" syndrome."

The different aspects to consider while delegating are - to motivate the team, to boost up their morale, to provide them with the challenges, to create successors. Delegation is not about relieving your workload but to allow employees grow professionally. Effective delegation is used to benefit both yourself and the team you are working with.

Following points should be kept in mind while delegating -

1. What should be delegated - Not every task a project manager does should be (can be) delegated. Project manager must evaluate the risks before delegating the tasks. The manager should delegate the tasks to free up his time to concentrate on priority activities - routines tasks can be delegated, technical tasks requiring expertise can be delegated, future roadmap planning should not be delegated, key team member selection should not be delegated.
   
2. Clarity of the results - As a manager you must establish the end results out of those tasks. The means to achieve the end results should be left for the individual to decide. Emphasize the goals not the processes or procedures. If for some reason, specific method has to be adopted, it should be informed right at the start of the assignment.
   
3. Defining the responsibility - You as a manager should determine employee's level of responsibility and ensure employee understands this as well.
   
4. Delegating the authority - Major failures in task delegation happens due to lack of authority delegation. Task delegation is done but authority delegation does not happen. Hence, for every small decision employee runs to the supervisor for the approval. Authority required for successful accomplishments of the tasks should also be delegated.
   
5. Establishing the timelines - A clear and agreed upon timeline must be published and milestones should be monitored in project progress reviews.
6. Support & feedback - It encourages the employee taking up the tasks if timely feedback is provided alongwith the continuous support. If required, training should also be provided to achieve the set goals.

For further reading, please refer to "The Human Aspects of Project Management: Organizing Projects for Success" by Vijay Verma (to read this requires PMI membership). Others can buy this book here.

Also visit:
Important Topics for PMP exam - Part 1
Important Topics for PMP exam - Part 2

PMBOK Guide 4th Edition Sample Questions

Here are some sample questions based on PMBOK Guide 4th edition. Answers and more links are at the end of the post.

Q 1 - Procurement audits are conducted during -

A. Administer Procurement
B. Close Procurement
C. Monitor & Control Risks
D. Perform Quality Assurance


Q 2 - Which of the following is NOT a tool for Define Scope?

A. Product Analysis
B. Alternative Identification
C. Stakeholder Analysis
D. Facilitated workshops


Q 3 - All of the following are Group Decision Making Techniques EXCEPT -

A. Unanimity
B. Negotiating
C. Plurality
D. Dictatorship


Q 4 - You have been assigned the project manager of a project whose earlier project manager has left the organization without proper knowledge transfer. To understand the complete scope of project, you will look at -

A. WBS
B. Project Management Plan
C. Communication Management Plan
D. Performance Reports


Q 5 - All of the following are tools & techniques of Sequence Activities EXCEPT -

A. Precedence Diagramming Method
B. Applying Leads & Lags
C. Arrow Diagramming Method
D. Dependency Determination


Q 6 - Money spent on the project activities during the project to avoid failures is -

A. Cost of Non-conformance
B. Cost of Conformance
C. Failure Cost
D. Cost of Poor Quality


Q 7 - Five stages of team development are -

A. Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning
B. Forming, Norming, Storming, Performing, Adjourning
C. Forming, Norming, Performing, Storming, Adjourning
D. Norming, Forming, Storming, Performing, Adjourning


Q 8 - You have entered into a fixed price contract with a seller but with an understanding that contract cost may change due to currency exchange rate fluctuation. What type of contract is this -

A. FFP
B. FPIF
C. FP-EPA
D. CPAF


Q 9 - You have released an advertisement in a leading newspaper to call for the sellers of a product that is needed to complete your project. Which process are you performing now -

A. Plan Procurement
B. Administer Procurement
C. Outsource Procurement
D. Conduct Procurement


Q 10 - You are the project manager for a software development project. There are 70% chances of making company $240,000 and 30% chances of costing the company $130,000 by doing the project in-house. What's EMV of the doing the project in-house?

A. $168,000
B. $39,000
C. $129,000
D. $207,000


For more numerical and formula related sample questions visit this post. Before attempting those questions, you may want to visit PMP Formulas at a glance.
















Answers:

Q 1 - B - Procurement audit is a tool & technique of Close Procurement. PMBOK Guide 4th edition, P343, Sec 12.4.2.1

Q 2 - C - Stakeholder analysis was a tool for Scope definition in PMBOK Guide 3rd edition. This has now become part of Facilitated Workshops, where stakeholder's needs are understood.

Q 3 - B - PMBOK Guide 4th edition, P108, Sec 5.1.2.5

Q 4 - A - PMBOK Guide 4th edition, P121, Sec 5.3.3.1

Q 5 - C - Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) was tool & technique for Activity Sequencing in PMBOK Guide 3rd edition.

Q 6 - B - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P195, Sec 8.1.2.2

Q 7 - A - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P233, Sec 9.3.2.3

Q 8 - C - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P323, Sec 12.1.2.3

Q 9 - D - PMBOK Guide 4th edition P332, Sec 12.2.2.5

Q 10 - C - $240,000*0.7 - $130,000*0.3 = $129,000

Here are the links for more practice questions -

1. 3500 Question Exam Simulation CD-ROM
2. 1000 PMP Exam Questions with Explanations, 5 Full Length Exams: Based on PMBOK 4th Edition

Fore more sample questions, visit:

1. My PMP Sample Questions
2. More Sample Questions (PMBOK 4th Edition)

PMI Membership Benefits

I have seen many people with this dilemma - shall I take PMI membership or shall I apply for the exam as non-member? Is it worth the money? The plain and simple answer is 'YES' - it is definitely worth the money. If you plan to appear for the PMP certification, you will in fact end up saving money if you become PMI member and then apply for the certification exam. Listed below are some of the PMI membership benefits -

1. Discount on PMP certification exam - When you apply for PMP certification exam as a PMI member the fee is US $405. PMI membership fee is US $129. Total cost becomes US $534. If you apply for PMP exam as non-member, the fee is US $555. There is a direct saving of US $21. It does not require any rocket science to see the benefit of becoming a PMI member.
   


2. Free Access to eReads - As a PMI member you have access to more than 500 books on project management. Along with your knowledge improvement, these books help you in preparing for PMP exam. And, you have access to these books 24x7 free of cost.



3. Career Development Services - As member you can advertise your resume and have access to their jobs database. You also have access to career coaching services.



4. Networking - You get a chance to interact with 250,000 global fellow community members by way of participating in online discussions, surveys, news. Once you are a PMI member, you can join your local PMI chapter and participate in various events organized by the local chapters and meet the other members in person to know the trends in the profession. These events can fetch you PDUs (after you have cleared the certification) which will help you in continuing your certification.



5. Access to various publications - As PMI member you get free subscription to PMI Community post, PMI Today (newsletter), PM network (magazine), Project Management Journal and PMI leadership in Project Management. You also get free access to latest edition of PMBOK Guide.



6. Others - Besides above benefits, you also get access to Project management best practices, opportunities to impact the advancement of the project management profession. Also, you can join the SIGs (Special Interest Groups) and participate in the events organized by these groups. It can fetch you PDUs and help in PMP credentials continuation.

Hope this answers and helps clear your dilemma.

Why should I do PMP certification?

It is not that life is going to change dramatically (read: money starts pouring in) or you will start receiving job offers a plenty if you complete the certification. Also, it is not that if you do not do the certification you are going to loose your job (thankfully, there are no such mandates as of now). Projects are being managed and completed today without certification and will continue to be completed successfully.

But at the same time, over the last decade or so, this has carved a niche and has attained a global recognition among the world corporates. People with PMI certification are marked differently and are placed in a separate category. It has earned a distinction of being prestigious and is considered a benchmark in the industry.

Glance over the below points and then you can decide for yourself, is it worth spending so much money and shall I take this plunge?

Top 5 reasons for getting PMP certification -


1. Knowledge Acquisition - There are not too many formal courses of such repute which will impart you with a formal knowledge of all areas in Project Management. Most of the time, one learns by way of sharing others' knowledge or on the job. This course requires a great deal of study and getting the certification highlights your knowledge of project management processes.



2. More Career Opportunities - Due to its widespread recognition, more & more companies are looking for project managers who are different and the benchmark is PMP certification. Also, imagine a situation of tie between two candidates for a job position, the candidate with the certification will have an edge over the other and you do not want to be that other candidate.



3. Sense of achievement & self-confidence - Believe it or not, after putting in so much of efforts when you see the "Congratulations!" message appear on your screen after the test, it does give you an ecstatic feeling and your confidence gets a real high.



4. Better Salary - Based on different surveys, it is proven that PMP certified project managers get paid more (approx 15-20% more) than the non-PMP similarly qualified managers.



5. Recognition in community & among peers - By completing this certification your name gets added to the most prestigious database of certified professionals in the project management community and you start commanding a different status among your peers also.

What do you say now, are you ready to take the challenge?