Information Technology Project Management 8th Edition By Kathy Schwalbe – Test Bank

Information Technology Project Management 8th Edition By Kathy Schwalbe – Test Bank

1. Project members should either have strong technical skills or soft skills.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

False

RATIONALE:

Feedback: For projects to succeed, every project team member needs both types of skills, and needs to develop them continuously through formal education and on-the-job training.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.391

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.70 – LO: 10-1

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Technology

TOPICS:

The Importance Of Project Communications Management

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

2. Adding more people to a project that is falling behind schedule often causes more setbacks because of the increased complexity of communications.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Many top managers think they can just add more people to a project that is falling behind schedule. Unfortunately, this approach often causes more setbacks because of the increased complexity of communications.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.392

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

3. People have different personality traits that often affect their communication preferences.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: It is important to understand individual and group preferences for communications. People have different personality traits that often affect their communication preferences.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.392

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

4. Rarely does the receiver interpret a message exactly as the sender intended.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: The receiver of information rarely interprets it exactly as the sender intended. Therefore, it is important to provide several methods of communication, such as written words, visuals, videos, and meetings, and an environment that promotes open dialogue.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.393

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

5. Geographic location and cultural background have no impact on communications.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

False

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Geographic location and cultural background affect the complexity of project communications. If project stakeholders are in different countries, it is often difficult or impossible to schedule times for two-way communication during normal working hours.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.394

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

6. It is extremely important to document any changes in technical specifications that might affect product performance.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Project communication management involves the inclusion of detailed technical information that affects critical performance features of products or services developed in a project. It is even more important to document any changes in technical specifications that might affect product performance.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.395

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

7. Communication becomes simpler when you increase the number of team members.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

False

RATIONALE:

Feedback: An important aspect of communications is the number of people involved in a project. As the number increases, the complexity of communication increases because there are more channels or pathways through which people can communicate. Communication becomes more complex as you increase team size.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.396

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

8. In a project, communicating badly exponentially increases the possibility of making mistakes.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Communicating badly exponentially increases the possibility of making fatal mistakes. A large-scale project has a lot of moving parts, which makes it that much easier to break down. Communication is the oil that keeps everything working properly.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.397

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s:Knowledge

9. The communications management plan varies with the needs of the project.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Because communication is so important on projects, every project should include a communications management plan—a document that guides project communications. The communications management plan varies with the needs of the project.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.398

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.CHW.14.72 – LO: 10-3

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Planning Communications Management

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

10. Most WBSs include a section for project communications to ensure that reporting key information is a project deliverable.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Information about the content of essential project communications comes from the work breakdown structure (WBS). In fact, many WBSs include a section for project communications to ensure that reporting key information is a project deliverable.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.399

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.CHW.14.72 – LO: 10-3

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Planning Communications Management

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

11. Project managers must assess the needs of the organization, the project, and individuals in determining which communication medium to use, and when.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Project managers must assess the needs of the organization, the project, and individuals in determining which communication medium to use, and when. They must also be aware of new technologies that can enhance communications and collaboration.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.402

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.73 – LO: 10-4

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Managing Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

12. Status reports can take various formats depending on the stakeholders’ needs.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Status reports describe where the project stands at a specific point in time. Status reports can take various formats depending on the stakeholders’ needs.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.404

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.73 – LO: 10-4

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Managing Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s:Comprehension

13. A facilitator can help the team solve any communication problems.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: It is often beneficial to have a facilitator from outside the project team assess how well communications are working. A facilitator can also help the team solve any communication problems.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.405

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.74 – LO: 10-5

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Controlling Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

14. Good information technology project managers must have strong technical and communication skills.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Most IT professionals enter the field because of their technical skills. Most find, however, that communication skills are the key to advancing in their careers, especially if they want to become good project managers.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.405

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.75 – LO: 10-6

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Suggestions For Improving Project Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

15. Do not have a meeting if there is a better way of achieving the objective at hand.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

True

RATIONALE:

Feedback: One of the guidelines for conducting meetings is to determine if a meeting can be avoided. Do not have a meeting if there is a better way of achieving the objective at hand.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.406

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.75 – LO: 10-6

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Suggestions For Improving Project Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

16. Minutes must be a comprehensive report of the meeting that was scheduled.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

False

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Minutes should be short and focus on the crucial decisions and action items from the meeting.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.407

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.75 – LO: 10-6

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Suggestions For Improving Project Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

17. The email is the most appropriate medium for all types of communications.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

False

RATIONALE:

Feedback: The e-mail is not an appropriate medium for all types of communications. It not appropriate for assessing commitment, building consensus, mediating a conflict, resolving a misunderstanding, making an ironic statement, conveying a reference document, reinforcing one’s authority, or maintaining confidentiality.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.402

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.75 – LO: 10-6

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Suggestions For Improving Project Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

18. The project summary report is a summary of all the lessons-learned reports.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

False

RATIONALE:

Feedback: The project manager and project team members should all prepare a lessons-learned report —a reflective statement that documents important information they have learned from working on the project. The project manager often combines information from all of the lessons-learned reports into a project summary report.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.412

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.75 – LO: 10-6

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Suggestions For Improving Project Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

19. Improving an organization’s ability to communication is an easy process.

a.

True

b.

False

ANSWER:

False

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Improving an organization’s ability to communicate requires a cultural change in an organization that takes a lot of time, hard work, and patience.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.417

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.76 – LO: 10-7

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Using Software To Assist In Project Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

20. _____ involves determining the information and communications needs of the stakeholders.

a.

Strategic planning

b.

Systems management

c.

Identifying stakeholders

d.

Planning communications

ANSWER:

d

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Planning communications management involves determining the information and communications needs of the stakeholders. Who needs what information? When will they need it? How will the information be given to them?

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.391

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.70 – LO: 10-1

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

The Importance Of Project Communications Management

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

21. The output of the _____ process is a communications management plan.

a.

managing communications

b.

reporting performance

c.

controlling communications

d.

planning communications

ANSWER:

d

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Planning communications management involves determining the information and communications needs of the stakeholders. The outputs of this process include a communications management plan and project documents updates.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.392

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.70 – LO: 10-1

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

The Importance Of Project Communications Management

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

22. Managing communications is part of the _____ process of the project communication management.

a.

closing

b.

executing

c.

planning

d.

monitoring and controlling

ANSWER:

b

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Managing communications is part of the executing process of the project communication management.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.392

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.70 – LO: 10-1

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

The Importance Of Project Communications Management

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

23. As a manager, you want to praise a team member, Phil, for doing a good job on a particular project. However, you know that Phil tends to be an introvert. Which of the following communication methods would Phil be most comfortable with?

a.

Call Phil in for a private meeting to appreciate his work.

b.

Call a team meeting to praise Phil for his work on the project.

c.

Announce Phil’s accomplishment on the company Web site.

d.

Have top management and the other teams in the company award Phil.

ANSWER:

a

RATIONALE:

Feedback: People have different personality traits that often affect their communication preferences. For example, if you want to praise a project team member for doing a good job, most introverts would be more comfortable receiving that praise in private, while most extroverts would like everyone to hear about their good work.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.392-393

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communications

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

24. Which of the following methods of communication is likely to be most effective for conveying sensitive or important information?

a.

Short face-to-face meetings

b.

E-mails

c.

Telephone conversations

d.

Reading reports from other team members

ANSWER:

a

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Short face-to-face meetings are often more effective than electronic communications, particularly for sensitive information.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.393

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

25. According to research by Albert Mehrabian, which of the following is NOT a way that information is communicated in a face-to-face interaction?

a.

body language

b.

facial expression

c.

spoken content

d.

tone of voice

ANSWER:

b

RATIONALE:

Feedback: Research has indicated that in a face-to-face interaction, communication takes place through body language, how the words are said, and the actual spoken content.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.394

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

26. As the number of people involved in a project _____, the complexity of communications _____.

a.

increases, decreases

b.

decreases, increases

c.

increases, stays constant

d.

increases, increases

ANSWER:

d

RATIONALE:

Feedback: An important aspect of communications is the number of people involved in a project. As the number increases, the complexity of communication increases because there are more channels or pathways through which people can communicate.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Easy

REFERENCES:

p.396

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Comprehension

27. The formula to determine the number of communication channels is _____, where n is the number of people involved.

a.

n (n-1)/2

b.

n(n+1)/2

c.

n (n+1)/n(n-1)

d.

n(n-1)/n(n+1)

ANSWER:

a

RATIONALE:

Feedback: The formula to determine the number of communication channels as the number of people involved in a project increases: number of communication channels = n (n-1)/2.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.396

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge

28. Using the formula for calculating the number of communication channels, how many channels would two people require?

a.

1

b.

2

c.

3

d.

4

ANSWER:

a

RATIONALE:

Feedback: The formula to determine the number of communication channels as the number of people involved in a project increases: number of communication channels = n (n-1)/2. Two people will have one communication channel.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.396

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Application

29. Using the formula for calculating the number of communication channels, how many channels would five people require?

a.

9

b.

10

c.

11

d.

14

ANSWER:

b

RATIONALE:

Feedback: The formula to determine the number of communication channels as the number of people involved in a project increases: number of communication channels = n (n-1)/2. Two people will have one communication channel.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.396

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Application

30. A team has 10 communication channels between its various members. Using the formula number of communication channels = n (n-1)/2, where n is the number of people in the team, the team has _____ members.

a.

5

b.

3

c.

2

d.

10

ANSWER:

a

RATIONALE:

Feedback: The formula to determine the number of communication channels as the number of people involved in a project increases: number of communication channels = n (n-1)/2. Two people will have one communication channel.

POINTS:

1

DIFFICULTY:

Difficulty: Moderate

REFERENCES:

p.396

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

INFO.SCHW.14.71 – LO: 10-2

NATIONAL STANDARDS:

United States – BUSPROG: Communications

TOPICS:

Keys To Good Communication

KEYWORDS:

Bloom’s: Knowledge