Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Preparation
Questions & Answers.
Process - Correct Answer A package of inputs, tools, and outputs used together to
perform something valuable and necessary for a project.
How many unique PMI processes are there? - Correct Answer There are 49 unique PMI
processes covered on the PMP exam.
Project - Correct Answer A time-limited undertaking to deliver a unique product, service,
or outcome.
- "Time-limited" means that this is temporary and will not go on indefinitely
- "Unique" means this has never been done by the PERFORMING ORGANIZATION.
Program - Correct Answer A group of related projects, managed together, usually to
realize some common efficiencies.
Programs often include ongoing operations, which individual projects do not have.
Portfolio - Correct Answer A group of programs and projects intended to achieve a
business result.
A portfolio usually refers to all of the programs and projects (investments) in an
organization.
What are the six project phases? - Correct Answer Six project phases (in order of
performance, see page 26 in the textbook):
1) Conceptual
2) Planning
3) Construction
4) Testing
5) Implementation
6) Closure
,Project Life Cycle - Correct Answer The phases that a project typically goes through. The
phases are general, but they show the expected flow of activities on a project (see page
26 of textbook).
Kill Point/Exit Gate - Correct Answer A review that takes place at the end of a project
phase.
Projects go through phase-end reviews to determine:
1) If the project should continue, and
2) If it should progress to the next phase.
Progressive Elaboration - Correct Answer A popular concept in project management that
project details will often be revisited and refined.
It indicates that:
- Everything is not known up front, and
- that processes, assumptions, requirements, and decisions are reviewed and adjusted
throughout the life of the project.
Project Management - Correct Answer The use of knowledge, skills, and resources to
accomplish the requirements of the project.
Historical Information - Correct Answer Organizational process assets - in particular,
records that have been kept on prior projects.
Benchmark current projects, resource usage, lessons learned, useful in planning
activities, prevent repeated mistakes.
Baseline - Correct Answer The original plan plus all approved changes.
The current plan by which project performance is measured, in terms of scope, schedule,
and cost.
,Lessons Learned - Correct Answer What you would have done differently to avoid
variances between what was planned to happen and what actually happened in a project
or phase.
An organizational process asset useful in planning current and future projects or phases.
System - Correct Answer The rules, processes, procedures, people, and other elements
that support an outcome or process.
Several are defined in project management, including the Project Management
Information System, the Change Control System, and the Work Authorization System.
Project Manager - Correct Answer The person ultimately responsible for the outcome of
the project. They are:
- Formally empowered to use organizational resources
- in control of the project
- authorized to spend the project's budget
- authorized to make decisions for the project.
Typically found in a matrix or projectized organization.
Project Coordinator - Correct Answer In some organizations, project managers do not
exist, and use this role instead. Significantly weaker than a project manager. This person
may not be allowed to make budget decisions or overall project decisions, but they have
some authority to reassign resources. Usually found in weak matrix or functional
organizations.
Project Expeditor - Correct Answer The weakest of the three project management roles, a
staff assistant who has little or no formal authority. Primary responsibility lies in making
sure things arrive on time/tasks are completed on time. Usually found in a functional
organization.
Senior Management - Correct Answer Anyone more senior than the project manager.
Their role in the project is to help prioritize projects and make sure the project manager
has the proper authority and access to resources. May be called upon to resolve conflicts
within the organization.
, Functional Manager - Correct Answer The departmental manager in most organizational
structures, such as the manager of engineering. Usually "owns" the resources that are
loaned to the project, and has human resources responsibilities for them. Can be a rich
source of expertise, or even are the most likely persons with whom project managers
experience conflict on a project.
Stakeholders - Correct Answer Individuals who are involved in the project or whose
interests may be positively or negatively affected as a result of the execution or
completion of the project. They ma exert influence over the project and its results. Usually
refers to the key _______________ who are identified as most important of influential
ones on the project.
Sponsor - Correct Answer The person paying for the project. They may be internal or
external to the company. In some organizations they are called the project champion. This
person and the customer may be the same person, although the usual distinction is this
person is internal to the performing organization and the customer is external.
Project Office (Project Management Office, PMO) - Correct Answer This term refers to a
department that can support project managers with methodologies, tools, training, etc., or
even ultimately control all of the organization's projects. Usually serves in a supporting
role, defining standards, providing best practices, and auditing projects for conformance.
Program Manager - Correct Answer The individual(s) responsible for the programs.
Organizes and manages multiple projects coordinated together at a higher level than the
project manager does.
Organization Types - Correct Answer The type of project delivery organization will have
an impact on the way a project is managed and its success.
There are 3 main types:
1) Functional
2) Matrix
3) Projectized
Functional Organization Type - Correct Answer The organization type in which project
team members work for a functional department, i.e. the functional manager has the most
Questions & Answers.
Process - Correct Answer A package of inputs, tools, and outputs used together to
perform something valuable and necessary for a project.
How many unique PMI processes are there? - Correct Answer There are 49 unique PMI
processes covered on the PMP exam.
Project - Correct Answer A time-limited undertaking to deliver a unique product, service,
or outcome.
- "Time-limited" means that this is temporary and will not go on indefinitely
- "Unique" means this has never been done by the PERFORMING ORGANIZATION.
Program - Correct Answer A group of related projects, managed together, usually to
realize some common efficiencies.
Programs often include ongoing operations, which individual projects do not have.
Portfolio - Correct Answer A group of programs and projects intended to achieve a
business result.
A portfolio usually refers to all of the programs and projects (investments) in an
organization.
What are the six project phases? - Correct Answer Six project phases (in order of
performance, see page 26 in the textbook):
1) Conceptual
2) Planning
3) Construction
4) Testing
5) Implementation
6) Closure
,Project Life Cycle - Correct Answer The phases that a project typically goes through. The
phases are general, but they show the expected flow of activities on a project (see page
26 of textbook).
Kill Point/Exit Gate - Correct Answer A review that takes place at the end of a project
phase.
Projects go through phase-end reviews to determine:
1) If the project should continue, and
2) If it should progress to the next phase.
Progressive Elaboration - Correct Answer A popular concept in project management that
project details will often be revisited and refined.
It indicates that:
- Everything is not known up front, and
- that processes, assumptions, requirements, and decisions are reviewed and adjusted
throughout the life of the project.
Project Management - Correct Answer The use of knowledge, skills, and resources to
accomplish the requirements of the project.
Historical Information - Correct Answer Organizational process assets - in particular,
records that have been kept on prior projects.
Benchmark current projects, resource usage, lessons learned, useful in planning
activities, prevent repeated mistakes.
Baseline - Correct Answer The original plan plus all approved changes.
The current plan by which project performance is measured, in terms of scope, schedule,
and cost.
,Lessons Learned - Correct Answer What you would have done differently to avoid
variances between what was planned to happen and what actually happened in a project
or phase.
An organizational process asset useful in planning current and future projects or phases.
System - Correct Answer The rules, processes, procedures, people, and other elements
that support an outcome or process.
Several are defined in project management, including the Project Management
Information System, the Change Control System, and the Work Authorization System.
Project Manager - Correct Answer The person ultimately responsible for the outcome of
the project. They are:
- Formally empowered to use organizational resources
- in control of the project
- authorized to spend the project's budget
- authorized to make decisions for the project.
Typically found in a matrix or projectized organization.
Project Coordinator - Correct Answer In some organizations, project managers do not
exist, and use this role instead. Significantly weaker than a project manager. This person
may not be allowed to make budget decisions or overall project decisions, but they have
some authority to reassign resources. Usually found in weak matrix or functional
organizations.
Project Expeditor - Correct Answer The weakest of the three project management roles, a
staff assistant who has little or no formal authority. Primary responsibility lies in making
sure things arrive on time/tasks are completed on time. Usually found in a functional
organization.
Senior Management - Correct Answer Anyone more senior than the project manager.
Their role in the project is to help prioritize projects and make sure the project manager
has the proper authority and access to resources. May be called upon to resolve conflicts
within the organization.
, Functional Manager - Correct Answer The departmental manager in most organizational
structures, such as the manager of engineering. Usually "owns" the resources that are
loaned to the project, and has human resources responsibilities for them. Can be a rich
source of expertise, or even are the most likely persons with whom project managers
experience conflict on a project.
Stakeholders - Correct Answer Individuals who are involved in the project or whose
interests may be positively or negatively affected as a result of the execution or
completion of the project. They ma exert influence over the project and its results. Usually
refers to the key _______________ who are identified as most important of influential
ones on the project.
Sponsor - Correct Answer The person paying for the project. They may be internal or
external to the company. In some organizations they are called the project champion. This
person and the customer may be the same person, although the usual distinction is this
person is internal to the performing organization and the customer is external.
Project Office (Project Management Office, PMO) - Correct Answer This term refers to a
department that can support project managers with methodologies, tools, training, etc., or
even ultimately control all of the organization's projects. Usually serves in a supporting
role, defining standards, providing best practices, and auditing projects for conformance.
Program Manager - Correct Answer The individual(s) responsible for the programs.
Organizes and manages multiple projects coordinated together at a higher level than the
project manager does.
Organization Types - Correct Answer The type of project delivery organization will have
an impact on the way a project is managed and its success.
There are 3 main types:
1) Functional
2) Matrix
3) Projectized
Functional Organization Type - Correct Answer The organization type in which project
team members work for a functional department, i.e. the functional manager has the most
