AICP Administration and Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of organizational structure groups planning functions (e.g., current planning, long-range planning) into specialized divisions under a single director?
- Matrix structure
- Functional structure (Correct answer)
- Project-based structure
- Flat structure
Correct answer: Functional structure
A functional structure organizes employees by specialized departments or functions, each reporting up through a hierarchical chain to a director.
Question 2: A planner is hired as a consultant and discovers that the project conflicts with the community's adopted general plan. The AICP Code of Ethics requires the planner to:
- Complete the project as contracted and remain silent
- Inform the client of the conflict and recommend conformance (Correct answer)
- Report the client to the planning commission directly
- Withdraw immediately without explanation
Correct answer: Inform the client of the conflict and recommend conformance
The AICP Code of Ethics obligates planners to advise clients of conflicts with adopted plans and to recommend actions that bring proposals into conformance.
Question 3: Which leadership style is generally most effective when a planning team is highly experienced and self-motivated?
- Autocratic leadership
- Transactional leadership
- Delegative (laissez-faire) leadership (Correct answer)
- Micromanagement
Correct answer: Delegative (laissez-faire) leadership
Delegative leadership works best with skilled, self-directed teams that require minimal supervision and can take ownership of their work.
Question 4: A planning agency is implementing a Geographic Information System (GIS). The primary administrative reason to conduct a needs assessment first is to:
- Select the software vendor immediately
- Identify existing capabilities and gaps before investing resources (Correct answer)
- Train all staff before purchasing hardware
- Avoid public involvement in technology decisions
Correct answer: Identify existing capabilities and gaps before investing resources
A needs assessment identifies current capabilities, gaps, and requirements to ensure technology investments align with actual organizational needs.
Question 5: In public administration, 'span of control' refers to:
- The geographic jurisdiction of a planning agency
- The number of subordinates a manager can effectively supervise (Correct answer)
- The range of legal authority granted to a planning director
- The timeline for completing a master plan
Correct answer: The number of subordinates a manager can effectively supervise
Span of control describes how many direct reports a supervisor can effectively manage, influencing organizational hierarchy and efficiency.
Question 6: A planning director wants to reduce siloed decision-making between transportation and land use staff. Creating interdisciplinary project teams is an example of:
- Line-item budgeting
- Matrix management (Correct answer)
- Scalar chain management
- Unity of command
Correct answer: Matrix management
Matrix management creates cross-functional teams where staff from different departments collaborate on shared projects while still reporting to their functional supervisors.
Question 7: Which federal law primarily governs workplace safety standards that a planning agency must comply with as an employer?
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) (Correct answer)
- Fair Housing Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Correct answer: Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) establishes federal standards that employers, including government agencies, must meet to ensure safe working conditions.
AICP Administration and Management 3
Which type of organizational structure groups planning functions (e.g., current planning, long-range planning) into specialized divisions under a single director?