Project Management Fundamentals Flashcards

Which project management process group is responsible for authorizing a new project or phase?

Answer: Initiating

The Initiating process group formally authorizes a project or phase and produces the project charter.

A project manager notices the critical path has changed after a scope change. What should they update first?

Answer: Schedule baseline

A scope change that affects task durations or dependencies directly impacts the schedule baseline, which must be updated first.

What is the term for the approved version of the project scope statement, WBS, and WBS dictionary?

Answer: Scope baseline

The scope baseline consists of the approved scope statement, WBS, and WBS dictionary and is used to measure scope performance.

During project execution, a team member suggests a better technical approach that was not in the original plan. What is the BEST first action?

Answer: Submit a formal change request

All changes should go through the formal change control process by submitting a change request before any modifications are made.

Which estimating technique uses a weighted average of optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely estimates?

Answer: Three-point estimating (PERT)

Three-point estimating (PERT) uses the formula (O + 4M + P) / 6 to account for estimation uncertainty.

What does a negative Schedule Variance (SV) indicate?

Answer: The project is behind schedule

SV = EV - PV; a negative value means earned value is less than planned value, so the project is behind schedule.

Which document formally closes a project or phase and is signed by the project sponsor or customer?

Answer: Project closure document

A formal project closure document (or administrative closure package) signed by the sponsor or customer officially closes the project.