Project Management Mid-term Exam

2009 2nd Term, 11/16/09

ID: Name:

1. (15 points) Multiple Choice Questions

1.1. Which of the following activities is not considered a project?

a. Developing a new software program
b. Designing a space station
c. Preparing the site for the Olympic Games
d. Production of automobile tires
e. Developing a new advertising program

1.2. Which of the following constraints is not typically found in managing projects? 
a. Time
b. People
c. Cost
d. Performance
e. Both B and D are not typical constraints

1.3.  Which of the following characteristics is not typical of a project manager? 
a. Managing a temporary activity
b. Possesses in­depth technical knowledge
c. Managing a non­repetitive activity
d. Manages independently of the formal organization
e. Provides a direct link to the customer

1.4. Which of these is not part of the "sociocultural dimension" of project management? 
a. Negotiation
b. Resource allocation
c. Customer expectations
d. Leadership
e. Politics

(15 points) 2. Fill in the blanks

2.1 The ________ financial model measures the current value of all cash inflows and outflows using
management's minimum desired rate of return. 

2.2. In some cases organizations will use a __________ to solicit ideas for projects when the knowledge
requirements for the project are not available in the organization. 

2.3.. Two of the major disadvantages of the ________ organizational approach to project management are
that projects may lack focus and it can take longer to complete projects.

2.4. In a ________ system, there are usually two chains of command, one along functional lines and the
other along project lines. 

(20 points) 3. Short Answer Question

3.1 What is meant by a work breakdown structure and how does it help manage projects? 

3.2. Under what conditions would the top­down approach to estimating project times and costs be the best
choice? 

(20 points) 4. From the following information, draw the project network. Compute the early, late, and
slack times for each activity. Identify the critical path (Hint: draw the finish­to­start relationships first)

ID Duration Finish-to-Start Finish-to-Start Additional Lag Relationships Lag

Predecessor Lag
A 5 None 0 None 0
B 10 A 0 None 0
C 15 A 0 Start-Finish C to D 20
D 5 B 5 Start- Start D to E 5
Finish-Finish D to E
E 20 B 0 Finish-Finish E to F 25
F 15 D 0 None 0
G 10 C 10 Finish-Finish G to F 0
H 20 F 0 None 10
(30 points) 5. Given the network plan that follows, compute the early, late, and slack times. What is the
project duration? Using any approach you wish (e.g., trial and error), develop a loading chart for
resources Carpenters (C) and Electricians (E). Assume only one Carpenter is available and two
Electricians are available. Given your resource schedule, compute the early, late, and slack times for your
project. Which activities are now critical? What is the project duration now?