INFS – 433 SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Question Bank for Final Term Examination (Theory)
Chapter 3
Short Questions:
1) Define Process.
A process is a series of actions directed toward a particular result.
2) Write down the names of 5 Project Management Process Groups.
1) Initiating processes
2) Planning processes
3) Executing processes
4) Monitoring and controlling processes
5) Closing processes
3) What is meant by a Project Charter?
Project charter is a document that formally recognizes the existence of a project and provides a direction
on the project’s objectives and management.
4) What major task is performed in “Project Monitoring and Controlling Process Group”?
- Include regularly measuring and monitoring progress to ensure that the project team meets the project
objectives.
-- The project manager and staff monitor and measure progress against the plans and take corrective
action when necessary.
-- A common monitoring and controlling process is reporting performance, where project stakeholders
can identify any necessary changes that may be required to keep the project on track.
Long Questions:
1) Define “Project Initiation Process Group”. What are the key outputs and documents of
Project Initiation Process Group?
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Initiating a project includes recognizing and starting a new project or project phase.
-
Key outputs include:
2) Define “Project Planning”. What are the key outputs of “Project Planning Process
Group”?
-
Planning processes include devising and maintaining a workable scheme to ensure that the
project addresses the organization s needs.
-
Key outputs in a project include:
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3) Write down in detail about the contents of “Final Project Report”.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Project Objectives
Summary of Project Results
Original and Actual Start and End Dates
Original and Actual Budget
Project Assessment (Why did you do this project? What did you produce? Was the project a
success? What went right and wrong on the project?)
6. Transition Plan
7. Annual Project Benefits Measurement Approach
Chapter 4
Short Questions:
1) What is “Project Integration Management”?
Project integration management involves coordinating all of the other project management knowledge
areas throughout a project s life cycle
2) What are the inputs required for developing a good Project Charter?
1-A project statement of work.
2-A business case
3-A contract
4-Enterprise environmental factors
5-Organizational process assets
6-Contents of a Project Charter
3) Write down the definition of “Scope Statement”.
A scope statement is a document used to develop and confirm a common understanding of the
project scope.
4) What is meant by a “Project Management Plan”?
A project management plan is a document used to coordinate all project planning documents
and help guide a project s execution and control.
5) What is a “Change Control System”?
A change control system is a formal, documented process that describes when and how official project
documents may be changed.
Long Questions:
1) Write down in detail about the 7 Project Integration Management Processes.
1. Develop the project charter: Work with stakeholders to create the document that formally
authorizes a project the charter.
2. Develop the preliminary project scope statement: Work with stakeholders, especially users
of the project’s products, services, or results, to develop the high-level scope requirements and
create a preliminary project scope statement.
3. Develop the project management plan: Coordinate all planning efforts to create a consistent,
coherent document—the project management plan.
4. Direct and manage project execution: Carry out the project management plan by performing
the activities included in it.
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5. Monitor and control the project work: Oversee project work to meet the performance
objectives of the project.
6. Perform integrated change control: Coordinate changes that affect the project’s deliverables
and organizational process assets.
7. Close the project: Finalize all project activities to formally close the project.
2) Briefly describe about the common elements of a project management plan.
The project name: Every project should have a unique name. Unique names help distinguish each
project and avoid confusion among related projects.
A brief description of the project and the need it addresses: This description should clearly outline
the goals of the project and reason for the project. It should be written in layperson s terms, avoid
technical jargon, and include a rough time and cost estimate.
The sponsor’s name: Every project needs a sponsor. Include the name, title, and contact information of
the sponsor in the introduction.
The names of the project manager and key team members: The project manager should always be
the contact for project information. Depending on the size and nature of the project, names of key team
members may also be included.
Deliverables of the project: This section should briefly list and describe the products that will be
produced as part of the project. Software packages, pieces of hardware, technical reports, and training
materials are examples of deliverables.
A list of important reference materials: Many projects have a history preceding them. Listing
important documents or meetings related to a project helps project stakeholders understand that history.
A list of definitions and acronyms, if appropriate: Many projects, especially information
technology projects, involve terminology unique to a particular industry or technology. Providing a list
of definitions and acronyms will help avoid confusion.
3) What is the major information required for Introduction of a Project?
authorizing the project
-off section for signatures of key project stakeholders
in which stakeholders can provide important comments related to the project
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4) How projects are closed after completion? What are the major outputs produced as result
of closing the projects?
sfer the completed or cancelled work to the
appropriate people.
- Main outputs include:
Chapter 5
Short Questions:
1) What is the purpose of a Scope Management Plan document?
The scope management plan is a document that includes descriptions of how the team will prepare the
project scope statement, create the WBS, verify completion of the project deliverables, and control
requests for changes to the project scope.
2) What are the key inputs for a Scope Management Plan?
Key inputs include the project charter, preliminary scope statement, and project management plan.
3) Give the definition of the following 3 terminologies:
a) Work breakdown structure
A WBS is a deliverable-oriented grouping of the work involved in a project that defines the total scope
of the project.
b) Decomposition
Decomposition is subdividing project deliverables into smaller pieces.
c) Work package
Work package is a task at the lowest level of the WBS that the project manager is using to monitor and
control the project
3) What are the basic contents of a Project Charter?
1) Project Title.
2) Project Start Date.
3) Project Finish Date.
5.) Project Objectives.
8) Sing-of.
6) Approach.
4) Project Manager.
7) Roles and responsibility.
9) Comments.
4) What should a Project Scope Statement include?
Long Questions:
1) Write in detail about 5 Project Scope Management Processes.
1. Scope planning: Deciding how the scope will be defined, verified, and controlled.
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2. Scope definition:
Defining scope involves reviewing the project charter, requirements documents, and organizational
process assets to create a scope statement, adding more information as requirements are developed and
change requests are approved.
3. Creating the WBS:
Creating the WBS involves subdividing the major project deliverables into smaller, more manageable
components
Scope verification: Formalizing acceptance of the project scope.
Verifying scope involves formalizing acceptance of the project deliverables. Key project
stakeholders, such as the customer and sponsor for the project, inspect and then formally accept the
deliverables during this process.
4.
5. Scope control:
Controlling scope involves controlling changes to project scope throughout the life of the project a
challenge on many information technology projects
2) Draw a Work Breakdown Structure of Information technology up-gradation project.
Chapter 6
Short Questions:
1) Define the following terms:
a) Milestone
A milestone is a significant event that normally has no duration
b) Activity
activity or task is an element of work normally found on the work breakdown structure (WBS) that has
an expected duration, a cost, and resource requirements.
c) Dependency
A dependency or relationship relates to the sequencing of project activities or tasks.
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d) Duration
Duration includes the actual amount of time worked on an activity plus the elapsed time.
e) Effort
Effort is the number of workdays or work hours required to complete a task.
2) Define PERT analysis. Write down the formula used for PERT Analysis.
PERT is a network analysis technique used to estimate project duration when there is a high degree of
uncertainty about the individual activity duration estimates.
PERT weighted average =
𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 + 𝟒∗ 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 + 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞
𝟔
,or =
𝑇𝑜+4∗𝑇𝑚+𝑇𝑝
6
3) Calculate the estimated time (Te) by the help of PERT formula for each of the activity
provided in the table below.
PERT =
𝑇𝑜+4∗𝑇𝑚+𝑇𝑝
6
4) What is a Gantt chart?
Gantt charts provide a standard format for displaying project schedule information by listing project
activities and their corresponding start and finish dates in a calendar format.
Long Questions:
1) Write in detail about 6 Project Time Management Processes.
1. Activity definition
Defining activities involves identifying the specific activities that the project team members and
stakeholders must perform to produce the project deliverables.
2. Activity sequencing
Sequencing activities involves identifying and documenting the relationships between project activities.
The main outputs of this process include project schedule network diagrams and project document
updates.
3. Activity resource estimating
Estimating activity resources involves estimating how many resources people, equipment, and
materials a project team should use to perform project activities. The main outputs of this process are
activity resource requirements, a resource breakdown structure, and project document updates.
4. Activity duration estimating
Estimating activity durations involves estimating the number of work periods that are needed to
complete individual activities. Outputs include activity duration estimates and project document
updates.
5. Schedule development
Developing the schedule involves analyzing activity sequences, activity resource estimates, and activity
duration estimates to create the project schedule. Outputs include a project schedule, a schedule
baseline, schedule data, and project document updates.
6. Schedule control
Controlling the schedule involves controlling and managing changes to the project schedule. Outputs
include work performance measurements, organizational process assets updates, change requests,
project management plan updates, and project document updates.
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2) What is a Network Diagram? Describe in detail about the Activity on Arrow (AOA) or
Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM).
Network diagrams are the preferred technique for showing activity sequencing.
1. Find all of the activities that start at Node 1. Draw their finish nodes, and draw arrows between Node
1 and each of those finish nodes.
2. Put the activity letter or name on the associated arrow.
3. If you have a duration estimate, write that next to the activity letter or name, as shown in Figure
above. For example, A = 1 means that the duration of Activity A is one day, week, or other standard unit
of time. Also be sure to put arrowheads on all arrows to signify the direction of the relationships.
4. Continue drawing the network diagram, working from left to right. Look for bursts and merges.
Bursts occur when two or more activities follow a single node. A merge occurs when two or more
nodes precede a single node. For example, in Figure, Node 1 is a burst since it goes into Nodes 2, 3, and
4. Node 5 is a merge preceded by Nodes 2 and 3.
5. Continue drawing the AOA network diagram until all activities are included on the diagram.
6. As a rule of thumb, all arrowheads should face toward the right, and no arrows should cross on an
AOA network diagram. You may need to redraw the diagram to make it look presentable.
3) What is meant by Critical Path Method (CPM)? Define Critical Path and write down the
method of calculating Critical Path.
Critical path method (CPM) also called critical path analysis is a network diagramming technique
used to predict total project duration.
Path n = total path or way
Calculating the Critical Path
schedule will slip unless the project manager takes corrective action.
4) Draw a CPM diagram according to the Table provided and calculate the Critical Path.
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Chapter 7
Short Questions:
1) What is meant by Project Cost Management?
Project Cost Management includes the processes required to ensure that a project team completes a
project within an approved budget
2) Write down the definitions of the following terms:
a) Cash flow analysis
Cash flow analysis is a method for determining the estimated annual costs and benefits for a project and
the resulting annual cash flow.
b) Life Cycle Costing
Life cycle costing allows you to see a big-picture view of the cost of a project throughout its life cycle.
c) Sunk Cost
Sunk cost is money that has been spent in the past; when deciding what projects to invest in or
continue, you should not include sunk costs.
3). What is a Cost Management Plan?
A cost management plan is a document that describes how the organization will
manage cost variances on the project.
4) What is meant by COCOMO (Constructive Cost Model)? Define the parameters used in
COCOMO.
development costs.
Parameters include:
Function points: Technology-independent assessments of the functions involved
in developing a system.
Source Lines of Code (SLOC): A human-written line of code that is not a blank
line or comment.
Long Questions:
1) Write down in detail about the Project Cost Management Processes.
Cost estimating:
Estimating costs involves developing an approximation or estimate of the costs of the resources
needed to complete a project. The main outputs of the cost estimating process are activity cost
estimates, basis of estimates, and project document updates.
Cost budgeting:
Determining the budget involves allocating the overall cost estimate to individual work items to
establish a baseline for measuring performance. The main outputs of the cost budgeting
process are a cost performance baseline, project funding requirements, and project document
updates.
Cost control:
Controlling costs involves controlling changes to the project budget. The main outputs of the
cost control process are work performance measurements, budget forecasts, organizational
process asset updates, change requests, project management plan updates, and project
document updates.
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2) Describe in detail about the basic tools and techniques used for Cost Estimation.
As you can imagine, developing a good cost estimate is difficult. Fortunately, there are several
tools and techniques available to assist in creating one. Commonly used tools and techniques
include analogous cost estimating, bottom-up estimating, parametric modeling, etc.
Analogous estimates: Analogous estimates, also called top-down estimates, use the actual cost of a
previous, similar project as the basis for estimating the cost of the current project. This technique
requires a good deal of expert judgment and is generally less costly than others are, but it is also less
accurate.
Bottom-up estimates: Bottom-up estimates involve estimating individual work items or activities and
summing them to get a project total. It is sometimes referred to as activity-based costing. The size of the
individual work items and the experience of the estimators drive the accuracy of the estimates.
Parametric modeling: Parametric modeling uses project characteristics (parameters) in a
mathematical model to estimate project costs. A parametric model might provide an estimate of cose per
line of code for a software development project based on the programming language the project is using,
the level of expertise of the programmers, the size and complexity of the data involved, and so on.
Computerized tools: Tools, such as spreadsheets and project management software, that can make
working with different cost estimates and cost estimation tools easier.
3) What is Project Portfolio Management? Write in detail about 5 Levels of Project Portfolio
Management.
set of interrelated activities in a portfolio.
1. Put all your projects in one database.
2. Prioritize the projects in your database.
3. Divide your projects into two or three budgets based on type of investment.
4. Automate the repository.
5. Apply modern portfolio theory, including risk-return tools that map project risk
on a curve.
Chapter 8
Short Questions:
1) Write down the definition of Quality?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines quality as “the degree to which a set
of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements” (ISO9000:2000).
2) Define the following terms:
a. Bench Marking
Benchmarking generates ideas for quality improvements by comparing specific project practices or
product characteristics to those of other projects or products within or outside the performing
organization.
b. Quality Audit
A quality audit is a structured review of specific quality management activities that help identify
lessons learned that could improve performance on current or future projects.
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3) Write a short note on different types of tests.
Unit testing tests each individual component (often a program) to ensure it is as defect free as
possible.
Integration testing occurs between unit and system testing to test functionally grouped components.
System testing tests the entire system as one entity.
User acceptance testing is an independent test performed by end users prior to accepting the
delivered system.
4) What is CMM (Capability Maturity Model)? Draw a diagram showing 5 levels of CMM.
The CMM is a popular maturity model and is in continuous development at the Software Engineering
Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.
Long Questions:
1) Give a detailed account of Project Quality Management Processes.
1. Quality Planning
Planning quality includes identifying which quality standards are relevant to the project and how to
satisfy those standards. Incorporating quality standards into project design is a key part of quality
planning.
2. Quality Assurance
Performing quality assurance involves periodically evaluating overall project performance to ensure
that the project will satisfy the relevant quality standards. The quality assurance process involves taking
responsibility for quality throughout the project s life cycle.
3. Quality Control
Performing quality control involves monitoring specific project results to ensure that they
comply with the relevant quality standards while identifying ways to improve overall quality.
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2) Describe in detail about the scope aspects of IT projects.
Functionality is the degree to which a system performs its intended function.
Features are the system’s special characteristics that appeal to users.
System outputs are the screens and reports the system generates.
Performance addresses how well a product or service performs the customer’s intended use.
Reliability is the ability of a product or service to perform as expected under normal conditions.
Maintainability addresses the ease of performing maintenance on a product.
3) Draw a detailed diagram showing testing task areas in the Software Development Life
Cycle. *
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4) Write a detailed note on 5 Cost Categories related to Quality.
1. Prevention cost: Cost of planning and executing a project so it is error-free or within an
acceptable error range.
2. Appraisal cost: Cost of evaluating processes and their outputs to ensure quality.
3. Internal failure cost: Cost incurred to correct an identified defect before the customer receives
the product.
4. External failure cost: Cost that relates to all errors not detected and corrected before delivery
to the customer.
5. Measurement and test equipment costs: Capital cost of equipment used to perform prevention
and appraisal activities.
Chapter 9
Short Questions:
1) What is difference between Intrinsic Motivation and Extrinsic Motivation?
Intrinsic motivation causes people to participate in an activity for their own enjoyment.
Extrinsic motivation causes people to do something for a reward or to avoid a penalty.
2) What are the two extreme approaches to Team Organization?
3) What is a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)?
responsibility assignment matrix (RAM) is a matrix that maps the work of the project, as
described in the WBS, to the people responsible for performing the work, as described in the OBS.
4) List down the tools and techniques for managing project teams.
rmance appraisals.
Long Questions:
1) What is Project Human Resource Management? Describe in detail about the 4 processes
of Human resource management.
2)
Project human resource management includes the processes required to make the most effective use of
the people involved with a project.
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1. Human resource planning:
Developing the human resource plan involves identifying and documenting project roles,
responsibilities, and reporting relationships. The main output of this process is a human resource plan.
2. Acquiring the project team:
Acquiring the project team involves getting the needed personnel assigned to and working on the
project. Key outputs of this process are project staff assignments, resource calendars, and project
management plan updates.
3. Developing the project team:
Developing the project team involves building individual and group skills to enhance project
performance. Team-building skills are often a challenge for many project managers. The main outputs
of this process are team performance assessments and enterprise environmental factors updates.
4. Managing the project team:
Managing the project team involves tracking team member performance, motivating team members,
providing timely feedback, resolving issues and conflicts, and coordinating changes to help enhance
project performance. Outputs of this process include enterprise environmental factors updates,
organizational process assets updates, change requests, and project management plan updates.
3) Draw an Organizational chart for a large IT project. *
Chapter 10
Short Questions:
1) Define performance reporting. Write down 2 types of reports used for performance reporting.
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Performance Reporting:
Performance reporting keeps stakeholders informed about how resources are being used to
achieve project objectives
Status reports describe where the project stands at a specific point in time.
Progress reports describe what the project team has accomplished during a certain period of time.
2) Define the following terms:
a. Risk Breakdown Structure
A risk breakdown structure is a hierarchy of potential risk categories for a project.
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b. Risk Register
A risk register is: A document that contains the results of various risk management processes and that
is often displayed in a table or spreadsheet format.
c. Risk events
Risk events refer to specific, uncertain events that may occur to the detriment or enhancement of the
project.
3) What is a Contract Statement of Work (SOW)?
A statement of work is a description of the work required for the procurement.
• If a SOW is used as part of a contract to describe only the work required for that
particular contract, it is called a contract statement of work.
Long Questions:
1) Write down in detail about the Project Communications Management Processes. *
1. Communications planning:
Planning communications involves determining the information and communications needs of
the stakeholders: who needs what information, when will they need it, and how will the
information be given to them. The outputs of this process include a communications
management plan and project document updates.
2. Information distribution:
Distributing information involves making needed information available to project stakeholders
in a timely manner. The main output of this process is organizational
process assets updates.
3. Performance reporting:
Reporting performance involves collecting and disseminating performance information,
including status reports, progress measurements, and forecasts. The outputs of this process are
performance reports, organizational process assets updates, and change requests.
4. Managing stakeholders:
Managing stakeholder expectations involves managing communications to satisfy the needs and
expectations of project stakeholders and to resolve issues. The outputs of this process are
organizational process assets updates, change requests, project management plan updates, and
project document updates.
2) Write down in detail about the Project Risk Management Processes. *
1. Risk management planning:
Planning risk management involves deciding how to approach and plan the risk management
activities for the project. The main output of this process is a risk management plan.
2. Risk identification:
Identifying risks involves determining which risks are likely to affect a project and documenting
the characteristics of each. The main output of this process is the start of a risk register
3.
Qualitative risk analysis:
Performing qualitative risk analysis involves prioritizing risks based on their probability and
impact of occurrence. After identifying risks, project teams can use various tools and techniques
to rank risks and update information in the risk register. The main output is risk register updates.
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4. Quantitative risk analysis:
Performing quantitative risk analysis involves numerically estimating the effects of risks on
project objectives. The main output of this process is also risk register updates.
5. Risk response planning:
Planning risk responses involves taking steps to enhance opportunities and reduce threats to
meeting project objectives.
6. Risk monitoring and control: Monitoring and controlling risk involves monitoring
identified and residual risks, identifying new risks, carrying out risk response plans, and
evaluating the effectiveness of risk strategies throughout the life of the project.
3) What is Project Procurement Management? Write down a short note on 6 Project
Procurement Management Processes. *
• Project procurement management: Acquiring goods and services for a project from outside the
performing organization.
• Processes include:
1. Planning purchases and acquisitions: Determining what to procure, when, and how.
2. Planning contracting: Describing requirements for the products or services desired from the
procurement and identifying potential sources or sellers (contractors, suppliers, or providers
who provide goods and services to other organizations).
3. Requesting seller responses: Obtaining information, quotes, bids, offers, or proposals from
sellers, as appropriate.
4. Selecting sellers: Choosing from among potential suppliers through a process of evaluating
potential sellers and negotiating the contract.
5. Administering the contract: Managing the relationship with the selected seller.
6. Closing the contract: Completing and settling each contract, including resolving any open
items.
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