Q&a - Project Human Resource Management

Project Human Resource Management Quiz 1 (10 Questions) Q1. On his first project assignment as the project manager, the project manager encounters disagreements among highly technical team members. How would the project manager BEST deal with the conflict? A) He should listen to the differences of opinions, determine what is the best choice and implement that choice. B) He should postpone further discussions, meet with each individual, and determine the best approach. C) He should listen to the differences of opinions, encourage logical discussions, and facilitate an agreement. D) He should help the team focus on agreeable aspects of their opinions and build unity by using relaxation techniques and common focus team building. Q2. Giving a team member a corner office is different than giving him health benefits because a corner office is a(n): A) B) C) D)

Perquisite Fringe benefit use of the expectancy theory. example of formal power.

Q3. Team members are arguing about the location of specification limits on a control chart. The discussion is becoming heated when the project manager walks in and says, "It seems that the real problem here is that we do not have enough information about the customer's specifications. Let's" This is an example of: A) B) C) D)

asserting the project manager's authority problem solving compromising. withdrawal.

Q4. During project planning in a matrix organization, the project manager determines that additional human resources are needed. From whom would he request these resources? A) Project manager B) Functional manager C) Team

D) Project sponsor Q5. You have a firm fixed price contract with a clause stating that all changes in the scope of work must be written. One of your team members verbally instructed the seller to add a change that resulted in a 100% task overrun. Under this situation, what conflict management strategy should you use (as the project manager) with the team member? A) B) C) D)

Punishment Problem solving Negotiating Withdrawal

Q6. While creating the agenda for a status meeting with the team, a project manager receives input from one team member that an item should be added. Another team member says the team is not ready to resolve the item during the meeting. After much discussion, the project manager decides to put the item on the agenda as an initial discussion item only. Which conflict resolution technique is the project manager using? A) B) C) D)

Compromise Smoothing Forcing Withdrawal

Q7. A project has several teams. Team C has missed several deadlines in the past. This has caused team D to have to crash the critical path several times. As the project leader for team D, you should meet with the: A) B) C) D)

manager of team D. project manager alone. project manager and management. project manager and the team C leader.

Q8. A project manager must publish a project schedule. Activities, start/end times and resources are identified. What should the project manager do next? A) B) C) D)

Distribute the project schedule according to the communications plan Confirm the availability of the resources Refine the project plan to reflect more accurate costing information Publish a Gantt chart illustrating the timeline

Q9. What leadership style should you employ during the first two weeks of project planning? A) B) C) D)

Coaching Directing Supporting Facilitating

Q10. The project team is working on an important and complex project that requires a lot of coordination. Under these circumstances, the BEST strategy is to: A) B) C) D)

have a war room. hire a contractor. hold more meetings to get the word out. gain extra assistance from management.

Project Human Resource Management Quiz 2 (20 Questions) Q11. The engineering resource group, a matrixed organization of which a project manager's project team is a part, has a policy of no bonus for project work. The project manager's current project has an aggressive timeline and a difficult technical obstacle to overcome. A new product offering is dependent on this project's success in the current timeline. The project manager has heard grumbling from his team about the fact that they cannot be rewarded for their effort. What is the FIRST thing the project manager should do? A) The project manager should evaluate if other team members from another department can help with the project. B) The project manager should talk to management about changing the bonus policy or allow this project to have its own bonus system to reduce risk on his project. C) The project manager should negotiate a less aggressive schedule from the client. D) The project manager should talk with the team about the importance of getting this done on time and explain the company policy. Q12. You are a project manager leading a cross-functional project team in a weak matrix environment. None of your project team members report to you functionally and you do not have the ability to directly reward their performance. The project is difficult, involving tight date constraints and challenging quality standards. Which of the following types of project management power will likely be the MOST effective in this circumstance? A) B) C) D)

Referent Expert Penalty Formal

Q13. Your best programmer is an independent contractor. Recently, you learned that she is working on a project in the evening for one of your competitors. Your BEST course of action is to: A) replace her. B) get her to sign a nondisclosure agreement. C) inform her that you do not allow your contractors to work with your competition, and ask her to choose. D) limit her access to sensitive data.

Q14. What is the MOST correct statement about conflict? A) B) C) D)

The primary source of conflict is personalities. Conflict can be beneficial. Conflict is best resolved by smoothing. The best way to prevent conflict in the procurement process is to make sure the project manager is not involved with negotiations.

Q15. A project manager is meeting with a team member and says, "I know you want to become involved in meetings with the customer. Because of your performance on the project so far, I have rearranged things so you can become involved with the customer." This is an example of: A) B) C) D)

team alignment. reward power. team building. constraints.

Q16. While resource planning for your project, you visited the functional manager of engineering many times but she refused to supply resources for the project. First, the excuse was that her department was too busy. The next time, the department was undergoing a reorganization. This is causing your project to slip the schedule. The lack of which of the following is the MOST probable reason for her lack of support? A) B) C) D)

Project plan Project charter Resource assignment matrix WBS

Q17. You work in a matrix organization when a team member comes to you to admit he is having trouble with his task. Although not yet in serious trouble, the team member admits he is uncertain of how to perform part of the work on the task. He suggests a training class available next week. Where should the cost of the training come from? A) B) C) D)

Switch to a trained resource to avoid the cost The human resource department budget The team member's functional department budget The project budget

Q18. A new project manager has just been assigned a project that is in progress. The project is two weeks behind schedule. The team members are about to be distributed to another project based on original time estimates provided by the functional manager. What is the FIRST step the project manager should take? A) She should first revise the Gantt chart with new timelines. B) She should initially contact the steering committee and begin with a new team. C) She should first show sympathy with the current team and delay decision making for another week. D) She should check the project plan for contingencies concerning resources and talk to the functional manager. Q19. At the end of a two-year project, the key stakeholders agree that the project has met all its goals and objectives outlined in the project charter and further defined in the scope and statement of work. The project is within budget and has finished on time. The management of one of the functional areas is quite upset because over half of his staff quit during the project citing long hours and lack of management support. What is the MOST correct statement about this project? A) The project was within budget and time and achieved its objectives. Upper management is responsible for providing adequate resources, and the project manager successfully managed the project with available resources. B) The project should be measured against how successfully it met its charter. This was not done during this project. C) The project manager did not obtain adequate resources and did not set a realistic deadline based on resources available. D) The functional manager is responsible for his staff and obtaining adequate resources to meet the schedule once it has been set. The project and project manager achieved all of its goals set forth in the charter. Q20. A team member is not performing well on the project because she is inexperienced in system development work. There is no one else available who is better qualified to do the work. What is the BEST solution for the project manager? A) Consult with the functional manager to determine project completion incentives for the team member B) Obtain a new resource more skilled in development work C) Arrange for the team member to get training D) Allocate some of the project schedule reserve

Additional Questions Q21. The "halo effect" refers to the tendency to: 1. promote from within. 2. hire the best 3. move people into project management because they are good in their technical field. 4. move people into project management because they have had project management training.

Q22. Which of the following is the highest point of Maslow's hierarchy? 1. 2. 3. 4.

Self-fulfillment Respect Affection Stability

Q23. In which motivation theory do hygiene factors play a part? 1. 2. 3. 4.

Herzberg's McGregor's Theory Y Maslow's hierarchy

Q24. Which motivational theory says that working conditions, salary and relationships at work do not improve motivation? 1. 2. 3. 4.

Maslow Deming McGregor Herzberg

Q25. In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-actualization means self-fulfillment, growth and: 1. 2. 3. 4.

affection. learning. security. stability.

Q26. Which motivational theory uses the concept of theory Y? 1. 2. 3. 4.

Maslow Deming McGregor Herzberg