IKM IT Project Management Principles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the critical path in project management?
- Path with lowest cost
- Longest sequence of dependent tasks determining minimum duration (Correct answer)
- Most important deliverable
- Path requiring most resources
Correct answer: Longest sequence of dependent tasks determining minimum duration
The critical path determines the shortest possible project duration; delays on it delay the project.
Tasks on the critical path have zero float. Tasks off the critical path have float allowing some delay. A project may have multiple critical paths.
Question 2: What is scope creep?
- Reducing scope to meet deadlines
- Uncontrolled expansion of scope without adjusting time or cost (Correct answer)
- Planned scope change
- Moving deliverables to future phases
Correct answer: Uncontrolled expansion of scope without adjusting time or cost
Scope creep is uncontrolled growth through incremental unapproved changes.
Prevention includes clear WBS, formal change control, signed-off requirements, and stakeholder education. Agile mitigates through iterative delivery and regular reprioritization.
Question 3: Which methodology uses time-boxed sprints?
- Waterfall
- PRINCE2
- Scrum (Correct answer)
- Critical Chain
Correct answer: Scrum
Scrum uses fixed-length sprints (2-4 weeks) to deliver product increments.
Scrum defines three roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Dev Team), five events (Sprint, Planning, Daily, Review, Retro), and three artifacts (Product/Sprint Backlog, Increment).
Question 4: What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?
- List of risks
- Hierarchical decomposition of deliverables into work packages (Correct answer)
- Team org chart
- Budget spreadsheet
Correct answer: Hierarchical decomposition of deliverables into work packages
WBS breaks total scope into manageable work packages for planning and estimation.
The 100% rule states WBS must include all project work. Work packages are typically 8-80 hours of effort. WBS forms the basis for schedule, cost, and resource planning.
Question 5: What is earned value management (EVM)?
- Team performance reviews
- Measuring performance by comparing planned work, completed work, and actual costs (Correct answer)
- Software velocity calculation
- Vendor contract management
Correct answer: Measuring performance by comparing planned work, completed work, and actual costs
EVM integrates scope, schedule, and cost data for objective performance measurement.
Key values: PV (planned), EV (earned), AC (actual cost). CPI = EV/AC (>1 under budget). SPI = EV/PV (>1 ahead of schedule). Provides early warning of overruns.
Question 6: What is a project charter?
- Detailed project schedule
- Formal authorization document with initial requirements and stakeholders (Correct answer)
- List of risks
- Task responsibility assignments
Correct answer: Formal authorization document with initial requirements and stakeholders
A charter formally authorizes the project, names the PM, and documents high-level requirements.
Created by the sponsor, it includes business case, objectives, high-level requirements, milestones, budget summary, and stakeholder list. Should be concise and signed.
IKM IT Project Management Principles 2
What is the critical path in project management?