Practice Test Geeks(CSM) Certified Software Manager Practice Test
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Data Analysis & Decision Making Flashcards

7 cards from real CSM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Data Analysis & Decision Making flashcards as text

  1. A software manager notices that defect rates spike every Friday afternoon. Which analytical technique best identifies this pattern?

    Answer: Time-series analysis with control charts

    Time-series analysis with control charts reveals temporal patterns and trends in process data, making Friday spikes visible.

  2. When evaluating a build-vs-buy decision for a software component, which quantitative method best accounts for uncertainty in future maintenance costs?

    Answer: Net Present Value (NPV) with sensitivity analysis

    NPV with sensitivity analysis accounts for the time value of money and tests how outcomes change under different cost assumptions.

  3. A project dashboard shows Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 0.85 and Cost Performance Index (CPI) of 1.10. What is the most accurate interpretation?

    Answer: The project is behind schedule but under budget

    SPI below 1.0 means behind schedule; CPI above 1.0 means under budget — both relative to the performance measurement baseline.

  4. Which statistical concept describes the tendency of extreme measurements to move closer to the average on subsequent measurements, potentially misleading managers?

    Answer: Regression to the mean

    Regression to the mean causes extreme values to drift back toward the average, which can make an intervention appear effective when it was not.

  5. A software manager must choose between two risk mitigation strategies. Strategy A has a 70% chance of saving $200K and Strategy B has a 40% chance of saving $400K. Based purely on expected value, which is preferred?

    Answer: Strategy B ($160K expected value)

    Strategy B's expected value is 0.40 × $400K = $160K, which exceeds Strategy A's 0.70 × $200K = $140K.

  6. When using a balanced scorecard for software management decisions, which four perspectives are typically evaluated?

    Answer: Financial, Customer, Internal Processes, and Learning & Growth

    Kaplan and Norton's balanced scorecard framework evaluates Financial, Customer, Internal Processes, and Learning & Growth perspectives.

  7. A manager wants to determine if two software teams have statistically different defect rates. Which test is most appropriate when comparing two independent proportions?

    Answer: Chi-square test of independence

    The chi-square test of independence is used to compare proportions across two independent categorical groups.