PMBOK Scope and WBS Development Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project team is in the process of subdividing major project deliverables into smaller, more manageable components. This activity is a key aspect of creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). What is the primary technique used for this process?
- Rolling Wave Planning
- Expert Judgment
- Decomposition (Correct answer)
- Brainstorming
Correct answer: Decomposition
Decomposition is the specific technique used to divide and subdivide the project scope and project deliverables into smaller, more manageable parts called work packages. While expert judgment is used within the process, decomposition is the core technique itself. Rolling wave planning is a form of progressive elaboration, and brainstorming is a requirements-gathering technique.
Question 2: A project manager is reviewing the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to ensure that all project work is included and that no extraneous work is captured. Which fundamental principle guides this evaluation of the WBS?
- The 80/20 Rule
- The 100% Rule (Correct answer)
- The Law of Diminishing Returns
- The Critical Path Method
Correct answer: The 100% Rule
The 100% Rule is a core principle in creating a WBS. It states that the WBS must capture 100% of the work defined by the project scope and must include all deliverables—internal, external, and interim. The sum of the work at the 'child' level must equal 100% of the work represented by the 'parent' level, and the WBS should not include any work that falls outside the actual scope.
Question 3: During project execution, a team member, with good intentions, adds an enhanced reporting feature to the software being developed. This feature was not in the project scope statement or the WBS and was not requested by the client. This is a classic example of:
- Scope Creep
- Integrated Change Control
- Value Engineering
- Gold Plating (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Gold Plating
Gold plating is the practice of adding extra features or enhancements to a product that were not part of the original requirements or scope. It is typically done by the project team without a formal change request, often with the intent to please the client, but it can lead to increased costs and risks. Scope creep, in contrast, involves uncontrolled changes or additions to the scope, often initiated by stakeholders.
Question 4: Which of the following documents provides a detailed description of the work and technical documentation for each WBS component, including information such as the code of accounts identifier, statement of work, responsible organization, and acceptance criteria?
- Project Scope Statement
- Requirements Traceability Matrix
- WBS Dictionary (Correct answer)
- Scope Management Plan
Correct answer: WBS Dictionary
The WBS Dictionary is a document that provides detailed information about each component in the WBS. It supports the WBS by defining the work packages and control accounts, ensuring a clear and common understanding of the work to be performed.
Question 5: A project manager for a construction project has just received the completed foundation for a new building. The next step is to obtain formal acceptance of this deliverable from the project sponsor. This activity is a primary focus of which process?
- Control Quality
- Validate Scope (Correct answer)
- Control Scope
- Plan Scope Management
Correct answer: Validate Scope
Validate Scope is the process of formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables. This process involves inspection by the customer or sponsor to ensure the deliverables meet the acceptance criteria and obtain their formal sign-off. Control Quality, on the other hand, is focused on verifying the correctness of deliverables and ensuring they meet the quality requirements, and it is typically performed before Validate Scope.
Question 6: What is the lowest level of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for which cost and duration can be reliably estimated and managed?
- Activity
- Task
- Control Account
- Work Package (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Work Package
A work package is the work defined at the lowest level of the WBS for which cost and duration can be estimated and managed. Activities and tasks are further decompositions of a work package used for scheduling purposes but are not considered part of the WBS itself. A Control Account is a management control point where scope, budget, and schedule are integrated and compared to earned value for performance measurement; it is a level above the work package.
PMBOK Scope and WBS Development Questions and Answers
A project team is in the process of subdividing major project deliverables into smaller, more manageable components.
This activity is a key aspect of creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
What is the primary technique used for this process?