Free Practice Questions for PMI PMI-SP Exam

The best answer for this question is a template. When projects adapt previous project plans for the current project, it is an example of a project template. Template is an activity list or a part of the activity list taken from the previous project and used in a new project.

Answer option D is incorrect. A parametric estimate is an estimate that uses a parameter to predict the costs of the project, such as cost per network drop or cost per software license. Parametric estimating technique utilizes the statistical relationship that exists between a series of historical data and a particular delineated list of other variables.

Answer option A is incorrect. Expert judgment is not the best choice for this question. Expert judgment is a technique based on a set of criteria that has been acquired in a specific knowledge area or product area. It is obtained when the project manager or project team requires specialized knowledge that they do not possess. Expert judgment involves people most familiar with the work of creating estimates. Preferably, the project team member who will be doing the task should complete the estimates. Expert judgment is applied when performing administrative closure activities, and experts should ensure the project or phase closure is performed to the appropriate standards.

Answer option B is incorrect. Analogous is an estimating technique that uses the values of parameter, such as scope, cost, budget, and duration or measures of scale such as size, weight, and complexity from a previous, similar activity as the basis for estimation of the same parameter for a future activity. It is a top-down estimating technique and is a form of expert judgment. It provides a lower degree of accuracy than other estimating techniques. This technique is primarily used when there is a limited amount of detailed information about the project or program.

The schedule baseline is the only output of the develop schedule process among these answers. The three other outputs of the Develop Schedule Process are: project schedule, schedule data, and project document updates.

Answer option D is incorrect. Activity duration estimates are an output of the Estimate Activity Duration process.

Answer option A is incorrect. Work performance information is an input of the Control Schedule process.

Answer option C is incorrect. Resource calendars are an input to the Develop Schedule process.

The Monte Carlo simulation tool allows a project manager to explore "what-if" analysis for the project schedule and possible combinations of events in the project. Monte Carlo simulation is a process for iteratively evaluating a deterministic form using sets of random numbers as inputs. This method is repeatedly used when the model is complex, nonlinear, or involves more than just a couple of vague parameters. Monte Carlo simulation is named after the city in Monaco, where the major attractions are casinos that have games of chance. Gambling games, such as roulette, dice, and slot machines, exhibit random behavior. This technique works particularly well when the process is one where the underlying probabilities are known but the results are more difficult to determine. It is a process that generates hundreds or thousands of probable performance outcomes based on probability distribution for cost and schedule on individual tasks. The outcomes are then used to generate a probability distribution for the project as a whole.

Answer option D is incorrect. GERT is the Graphical Evaluation Review Technique and is a visual mapping of the project work including branches and loop backs within the project.

Answer option A is incorrect. PERT is the Program Evaluation and Review Technique and is used for project scheduling and time estimating.

Answer option C is incorrect. PMIS is a project management information system, such as Microsoft Project, and often includes what-if analysis tools, but it's not the best answer for this question.

Of all six processes, the control schedule process will take the majority of the time in the project time management knowledge area. Control schedule process is a method of monitoring the status of the project to update project progress and deal with the changes to the schedule baseline. It is concerned with: Determining the current status of the project Influencing the factors that create schedule changes Determining that the project schedule has changed Managing the actual changes as they occur Control schedule is a component of the Perform Integration Change Control process.

Answer options B, A, and D are incorrect. These processes will not take the longest to complete.

The project's schedule performance index (SPI) can be found by using the formula; earned value/planned value. The earned value is the percent of the project completed times the BAC. The planned value is the percentage of where the project should be times the budget at completion. In this instance, the formula reads: $450,000/562500 = 0.80. Schedule performance index (SPI) is the measure of schedule efficiency on a project. It is used in trend analysis to predict future performance. SPI is the ratio of earned value to planned value. The SPI is calculated based on the following formula: SPI = Earned Value (EV) / Planned Value (PV) If the SPI value is greater than 1, it indicates better than expected performance, whereas if the value is less than 1, it shows poor performance. The SPI value of 1 indicates that the project is right on target.

Answer option A is incorrect. This value is the project's Cost Performance Index (CPI).

Answer option D is incorrect. This value is the schedule variance for the project.

Answer option C is incorrect. $562,500 is the planned value for the project.

Lag time is positive time that requires the successor activity to wait for a defined amount of time, such as three days, before it can begin. Lag time does not change the task relationship, but requires a "waiting time" before the starting of the activity can begin. A lag time is a delay between the predecessor and the successor tasks. Sometimes it may be needed to schedule a delay between the predecessor and the successor tasks. For example, if two coats of paint are required to paint a car, then the final coat should be applied only when the first coat dries. This delay is known as the lag time. The lag time is entered as a positive value. The lag time can be entered as a duration or as a percentage of the predecessor's task duration. It is entered on the Predecessor tab in the Task Information dialog box.

Answer option D is incorrect. Float is a natural event that is discovered through the forward pass when using the critical path method. Float cannot be arbitrarily added as lag.

Answer option C is incorrect. Lead time actually brings activities closer together and causes them, in some cases, to overlap.

Answer option B is incorrect. Management reserve is a pool of time allotted for unscheduled changes and events that affect the project duration.

A schedule baseline provides a method to track project progress during project execution against what was planned. What is schedule baseline? Schedule baseline is a project schedule used in measuring project progress. It helps provide a comparison with the actual progress of work against the schedule and to determine if performance to date is within acceptable parameters. Any change caused by change in scope of the project invalidates the original schedule and requires a new baseline schedule.

Answer options D, A, and B are incorrect. A detailed project budget, team members profile, and benefit-cost ratio will not help you track project progress. What is BCR? A benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is an indicator, used in the formal discipline of cost-benefit analysis, that attempts to summarize the overall value for money of a project or proposal. A BCR is the ratio of the benefits of a project or proposal, expressed in monetary terms, relative to its costs, also expressed in monetary terms. All benefits and costs should be expressed in discounted present values. For e.g., a BCR of $3.8 indicates a payback of $3.8 for each dollar expended.

If a resource leveling heuristic, such as 45 hours maximum per time period, is enforced on the project, then the project schedule will take longer to complete. What is resource leveling heuristics? Resource leveling heuristics is a prioritization method that allocates inadequate resources to critical path activities first. It is a schedule network analysis technique useful to a schedule that has already been analyzed by the critical path method. It is used when shared or critical essential resources are only available at certain times, in limited quantities, or to keep resource usage at a constant level. It is a technique that resolves resource conflicts by delaying tasks within their slack allowances. Resource leveling is the process in which project teams come across problems when developing their project schedules. If a company has multiple projects running simultaneously that require the same resources, then problems can arise. It can often cause the critical path method to change.

Answer option A is incorrect. The 45-hour limit is a restriction on the project.

Answer option C is incorrect. The project will not take less time to complete because the project team members won't be able to complete as much work in the same amount of time.

Answer option D is incorrect. The project may require more resources if the project manager and management want the project to finish by a particular date. In this question, however, the focus is on what will happen to the project schedule, not the project staffing.

The various phases of the decision making process are as follows: Problem definition: This phase explores, clarifies and defines the problem. Problem solution generation: This phase draws out the new idea generating process by brainstorming multiple solutions and rejecting premature decisions. Ideas to action: This phase defines the evaluation criteria, rate pros and cons of alternatives and helps in selecting the best solution. Solution action planning: This phase involves key participants to gain acceptance and commitment to make the solution work. Solution evaluation planning: This phase performs the post implementation analysis, evaluations and lessons learned. Evaluation of the outcome and process: This phase evaluates how well the problem was solved or project goals were achieved.

Because this project needs the specific resource of Henry, the application developer, and Henry is not available, it is considered as a resource constraint. Recall that a constraint is anything that limits the project manager's option.

Answer option C is incorrect. A resource requirement is simply the need for an application developer.

Answer option B is incorrect. This is likely a matrix organization, but it is not the best answer for this question.

Answer option A is incorrect. While there may be some competition for skilled resources, such as Henry, the application developer, it is not the best answer for this question.