APM PMQ Exam 1 Questions with Correct
Answers
What are the stages of a linear life cycle?
Concept, Definition, Deployment, Transition
What is the best type of life cycle to use for a stable low-risk project?
Linear life cycle
State the three types of life cycle.
Linear, Iterative, Hybrid
What is the main characteristic of an iterative life cycle?
It repeats one of more phases
When is an iterative life cycle beneficial?
If the project scope is vague, or if the solutions are unclear
What are the three stages of Evolutionary Development in an Iterative lifecycle?
Assemble, Review, Deploy
What is the definition of a hybrid life cycle?
It adds iteration to a linear life cycle to enable a mix of approaches
Give one difference between a Project Life Cycle and an Extended Life Cycle?
A project life cycle contains the phases up to transition and closure, whereas an extended life
cycle goes beyond the transition and closure phase to include the benefits realisation phase
and adoption of outputs.
,What are the two extra phases of an Extended life cycle?
Adoption, Benefits Realisation
What are the different Documentation Requirements for a Project lifecycle vs. an
Extended lifecycle?
A project lifecycle focuses on documentation required for project execution and closure, such
as project plans, progress reports, and final reviews.
An extended lifecycle requires comprehensive documentation that extends into operational
manuals, long-term maintenance schedules, and end user support materials.
How are Changes Managed for a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended lifecycle?
Project Lifecycle - Changes are managed within the confines of the project's timeline and aim
to minimise disruptions to the initial plan.
Extended lifecycle - Incorporates continuous change management to adapt to evolving
technologies, user requirements, and operational challenges over time.
How is Quality Assurance carried out in Project lifecycle vs. Extended Lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Quality assurance processes are designed to ensure that the project meets
defined standards and specifications at closure.
Extended lifecycle - Ongoing quality assurance is crucial to maintain the integrity,
performance, and safety of the project outcomes throughout their lifecycle.
How are Resources Allocated in a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Resources are allocated and managed with the goal of project completion,
and resource engagement typically concludes with the project
Extended lifecycle - Resource allocation is dynamic and may increase or decrease based on
the phase of the lifecycle, such as during major upgrades or routine maintenance.
,How do skills and expertise differ across a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended Lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Requires skills relevant to project management and technical execution
specific to the project's requirements.
Extended lifecycle - Demands a broader range of skills, including operational management,
technical support, and lifecycle management expertise.
How do Feedback Mechanisms differ in a Project Lifecycle vs an Extended Lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Feedback is often project-focused and gathered during the project to refine
processes and outputs.
Extended lifecycle - Continuous feedback loops are essential for adapting to user
experiences, technological advancements, and market changes
How do Sustainability Considerations differ in a Project Lifecycle vs an Extended
Lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Sustainability may be considered in terms of project deliverables and
immediate environmental impacts.
Extended lifecycle - Includes long-term sustainability planning, focusing on environmental
impact, resource use, and economic viability over the entire lifecycle.
How is Legal and Compliance handled in a Project lifecycle vs. Extended lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Compliance is targeted at meeting the legal requirements up to the project's
delivery
Extended lifecycle - Extends compliance to include regulatory requirements that affect the
ongoing use, updates, and eventual decommissioning of the project deliverables
Why might an organisation favour a linear project lifecycle? (5 reasons)
, Where a highly structured, predictable and stable process is needed which offers transparency
and maximum control and governance.
Where there is availability of relatively perfect knowledge upfront.
Which might be resistant to change and inflexible in terms of corrections and rework.
Where knowledge / teams are divided into distinct phases, creating silos and knowledge
barriers between the phases, particularly when different delivery agents will deliver different
phases.
Lower appetite for risk
Why might an organisation favour an iterative lifecycle? (5)
Where development projects are agile.
Where departments are flexible, adaptable and open to change.
They favour the idea of concurrency, or simultaneous engineering, where different
development steps are allowed to be performed in parallel.
They can manage uncertainty regarding the scope by allowing the objectives to evolve
throughout the life cycle as learning and discovery take place.
Prototypes, timeboxes or parallel activities are utilised to acquire new insights, obtain
feedback or explore high-risk options.
What Organisational Context and Culture would define the influence on life cycle
choice for an organisation? (3)
Risk Tolerance, Decision making style, Change Readiness
What Project-Specific Needs would define the influence on life cycle choice for an
organisation? (3)
Project complexity, Requirement stability, Stakeholder engagement, Resource Availability
Answers
What are the stages of a linear life cycle?
Concept, Definition, Deployment, Transition
What is the best type of life cycle to use for a stable low-risk project?
Linear life cycle
State the three types of life cycle.
Linear, Iterative, Hybrid
What is the main characteristic of an iterative life cycle?
It repeats one of more phases
When is an iterative life cycle beneficial?
If the project scope is vague, or if the solutions are unclear
What are the three stages of Evolutionary Development in an Iterative lifecycle?
Assemble, Review, Deploy
What is the definition of a hybrid life cycle?
It adds iteration to a linear life cycle to enable a mix of approaches
Give one difference between a Project Life Cycle and an Extended Life Cycle?
A project life cycle contains the phases up to transition and closure, whereas an extended life
cycle goes beyond the transition and closure phase to include the benefits realisation phase
and adoption of outputs.
,What are the two extra phases of an Extended life cycle?
Adoption, Benefits Realisation
What are the different Documentation Requirements for a Project lifecycle vs. an
Extended lifecycle?
A project lifecycle focuses on documentation required for project execution and closure, such
as project plans, progress reports, and final reviews.
An extended lifecycle requires comprehensive documentation that extends into operational
manuals, long-term maintenance schedules, and end user support materials.
How are Changes Managed for a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended lifecycle?
Project Lifecycle - Changes are managed within the confines of the project's timeline and aim
to minimise disruptions to the initial plan.
Extended lifecycle - Incorporates continuous change management to adapt to evolving
technologies, user requirements, and operational challenges over time.
How is Quality Assurance carried out in Project lifecycle vs. Extended Lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Quality assurance processes are designed to ensure that the project meets
defined standards and specifications at closure.
Extended lifecycle - Ongoing quality assurance is crucial to maintain the integrity,
performance, and safety of the project outcomes throughout their lifecycle.
How are Resources Allocated in a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Resources are allocated and managed with the goal of project completion,
and resource engagement typically concludes with the project
Extended lifecycle - Resource allocation is dynamic and may increase or decrease based on
the phase of the lifecycle, such as during major upgrades or routine maintenance.
,How do skills and expertise differ across a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended Lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Requires skills relevant to project management and technical execution
specific to the project's requirements.
Extended lifecycle - Demands a broader range of skills, including operational management,
technical support, and lifecycle management expertise.
How do Feedback Mechanisms differ in a Project Lifecycle vs an Extended Lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Feedback is often project-focused and gathered during the project to refine
processes and outputs.
Extended lifecycle - Continuous feedback loops are essential for adapting to user
experiences, technological advancements, and market changes
How do Sustainability Considerations differ in a Project Lifecycle vs an Extended
Lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Sustainability may be considered in terms of project deliverables and
immediate environmental impacts.
Extended lifecycle - Includes long-term sustainability planning, focusing on environmental
impact, resource use, and economic viability over the entire lifecycle.
How is Legal and Compliance handled in a Project lifecycle vs. Extended lifecycle?
Project lifecycle - Compliance is targeted at meeting the legal requirements up to the project's
delivery
Extended lifecycle - Extends compliance to include regulatory requirements that affect the
ongoing use, updates, and eventual decommissioning of the project deliverables
Why might an organisation favour a linear project lifecycle? (5 reasons)
, Where a highly structured, predictable and stable process is needed which offers transparency
and maximum control and governance.
Where there is availability of relatively perfect knowledge upfront.
Which might be resistant to change and inflexible in terms of corrections and rework.
Where knowledge / teams are divided into distinct phases, creating silos and knowledge
barriers between the phases, particularly when different delivery agents will deliver different
phases.
Lower appetite for risk
Why might an organisation favour an iterative lifecycle? (5)
Where development projects are agile.
Where departments are flexible, adaptable and open to change.
They favour the idea of concurrency, or simultaneous engineering, where different
development steps are allowed to be performed in parallel.
They can manage uncertainty regarding the scope by allowing the objectives to evolve
throughout the life cycle as learning and discovery take place.
Prototypes, timeboxes or parallel activities are utilised to acquire new insights, obtain
feedback or explore high-risk options.
What Organisational Context and Culture would define the influence on life cycle
choice for an organisation? (3)
Risk Tolerance, Decision making style, Change Readiness
What Project-Specific Needs would define the influence on life cycle choice for an
organisation? (3)
Project complexity, Requirement stability, Stakeholder engagement, Resource Availability
