Deck 10: Being an Effective Project Manager

Question 1

The old-fashioned view of managing projects emphasized directing and controlling subordinates; the new perspective emphasizes managing project stakeholders and anticipating change as the most important jobs.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

In most cases, if someone can manage a project well, then they are also a great leader.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

One of the things that distinguish project management from regular management is the sheer breadth and complexity of the relationships that need to be managed.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Position-related currencies come directly from the project manager's ability to contribute to others' accomplishing their work.

Question 5

The level of leadership required to successfully complete a project may depend on the level of uncertainty involved.

Question 6

As long as the culture of an organization acknowledges and condemns unethical behavior, ethical dilemmas are rare or trivial at the most.

Question 7

Successful project managers tend to adopt a hands-on approach to managing projects.

Question 8

The first step to building a social network is identifying those on whom the project depends for success.

Question 9

It is impractical for a subordinate to "manage" a superior.

Question 10

Strong leadership, while usually desirable, is not always necessary to successfully complete a project.

Question 11

Through a project manager's behavior, he or she can influence how others act and respond to a variety of issues related to the project.

Question 12

Customers define the scope of the project, and ultimately, project success rests in their satisfaction.

Question 13

One advantage of creating a dedicated project team is that it reduces dependencies, especially within the organization.

Question 14

Inspiration-related currencies derive from people's burning desire to make a difference and add meaning to their lives.

Question 15

Relationship-related currencies deal with the extent to which we can help others feel a sense of importance and personal worth by sharing tasks that increase their skills and abilities.

Question 16

A successful project manager must build a cooperative, mutually beneficial network generally governed by the law of reciprocity.

Question 17

Relationship-related currencies have more to do with strengthening the relationship with someone than directly accomplishing the project tasks.

Question 18

Many poor-performing project managers are guilty of management by wandering around.

Question 19

One important function of mapping dependencies and building a social network is to prevent project managers from being derailed because they were blindsided by someone whose position or power they had not anticipated.

Question 20

Effective time management for project managers includes initiating contact with key stakeholders only when there is a valid issue to deal with.

Question 21

The closest relationships in a project network of relationships are between the project manager and

A) other project managers.
B) project sponsors.
C) top management.
D) customers.
E) project team members.

Question 22

A high-ranking manager who advocates the project and uses her or his influence to gain approval of the project is a project

A) promoter.
B) champion.
C) godfather.
D) sponsor.
E) advocate.

Question 23

Stakeholders such as human resources, information systems, purchasing agents, and maintenance are typically classified as

A) project managers.
B) administrative support.
C) functional managers.
D) project sponsors.
E) customers.

Question 24

The second ring in the network of relationships for project managers includes all of the following EXCEPT

A) other project managers.
B) customers.
C) functional managers.
D) top management.
E) project sponsors.

Question 25

Which group of stakeholders defines the scope of the project and ultimately determines whether or not the project is successful?

A) Customers
B) Top management
C) Project sponsors
D) Project managers
E) Project team

Question 26

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, being involved in a task that has a large significance and having a chance to do something important and do it well are examples of ______-related currencies.

A) task
B) position
C) inspiration
D) relationship
E) personal

Question 27

A well-defined project that encounters no significant surprises would require little

A) management.
B) leadership.
C) monitoring.
D) corrective action.
E) controlling.

Question 28

Optimism, integrity, and even being proactive are not developed easily if there is not already a predisposition to display them.

Question 29

The outer ring in the network of relationships for project managers includes all of the following EXCEPT

A) other organizations.
B) customers.
C) vendors / suppliers.
D) government agencies.
E) administrative support.

Question 30

Managing upward relationships involve project managers become skilled at the art of persuading superiors.

Question 31

Delivering accurate information is just as important as delivering bad news to a stakeholder.

Question 32

When engaging stakeholders, a project manager should

A) develop a hands-on approach.
B) focus on the project team and their needs.
C) understand how different stakeholders can affect the project and manage that dependency.
D) manage and limit time negotiating with stakeholders outside of the organization.
E) refuse to be pulled by the demands of people who are not directly involved in the project.

Question 33

One difference between project management and project leadership is that project management includes

A) recognizing the need to alter direction.
B) aligning people to meet new directions.
C) monitoring results against plans.
D) motivating people to meet new objectives.
E) deviating from the plan.

Question 34

Networks are mutually beneficial alliances that are generally governed by the law of

A) supply-demand.
B) Brooks' law.
C) reciprocity.
D) a squeaky wheel.
E) risk-reward.

Question 35

An individual's character alone is adequate to generate trust.

Question 36

Which of the following groups of stakeholders place constraints on project work such as requiring permits to be secured, that work is built to code, or that safety standards are met?

A) Project sponsors
B) Government agencies
C) Project managers
D) Customers
E) Top management

Question 37

An effective project manager will choose to have an "open door policy" and use project management metrics to assure projects are running smoothly.

Question 38

Managing a project and leading a project are two different things. Project leadership is about coping with

A) formulating plans and objectives.
B) monitoring results against plans.
C) change.
D) taking corrective action when necessary.
E) designing structures and procedures.

Question 39

The project manager should see the big picture while being willing to get their hands dirty.

Question 40

Which metaphor best captures the role of a project manager?

A) The conductor of an orchestra
B) The point guard on a basketball team
C) A programmer on a software development team
D) A scout on an exploration
E) A mathematics instructor

Question 41

Which of the following would be defined as the ability or skill to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self and others?

A) Emotional stability
B) System thinking
C) Emotional intelligence
D) Personal integrity
E) Management sensitivity

Question 42

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, providing friendship, giving emotional backing, and listening to others' concerns and issues are examples of _______-related currencies.

A) task
B) position
C) inspiration
D) relationship
E) personal

Question 43

The traits of successful project managers include all of the following EXCEPT

A) pessimist.
B) proactivity.
C) effective communication skills.
D) effective time management.
E) personal integrity.

Question 44

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, sharing tasks that increase someone's skills and abilities and letting others have ownership and influence are examples of _______-related currencies.

A) task
B) position
C) inspiration
D) relationship
E) personal

Question 45

One way to build a supportive social network at work is to use

A) PMI.
B) MBWA.
C) ACWP.
D) CAPM.
E) EVA.

Question 46

The largest source of tension between project managers and upper management typically comes from

A) lack of project resources.
B) differences of perspective.
C) budgeting exercises.
D) not managing risk correctly.
E) communication difficulties.

Question 47

The key to exercising influence is

A) to make few mistakes.
B) to build trust.
C) to build a network of top-level people.
D) to understand the political connections within the organization.
E) to make friends with everyone.

Question 48

Research consistently points out that project success is strongly affected by the degree to which a project has the support of top management. The following are ways a project manager can manage upward relationships EXCEPT

A) never ignore the chains of command.
B) prove loyalty.
C) pick the optimum time to appeal to top management.
D) consistently follow through on requests.
E) accept profound differences in perspective and become skilled at the art of persuading superiors.

Question 49

A key to being able to effectively persuade superiors is

A) constantly meeting deadlines.
B) being visible to top management.
C) establishing project ownership.
D) proving loyalty.
E) being a self-starter.

Question 50

The one thing that can help establish your right to lead the project more than anything else is

A) ability to balance the project budget.
B) being visible to top management.
C) being an active advocate for your project.
D) having proper credentials.
E) having the proper skillset for project management.

Question 51

When having to have a difficult conversation with upper managers, you can increase success by

A) framing the issue in familiar language.
B) not asking for further budget allocation.
C) making sure you have just met your last deadline.
D) taking an adversarial position.
E) taking an advocacy position.

Question 52

Which of the following is used at Hewlett-Packard for building relationships with key players that will determine a project's success?

A) MBO
B) MBA
C) GIGO
D) MBWA
E) PMI

Question 53

Which of the following is NOT one of the aspects of leading by example?

A) Priorities
B) Ethics
C) Urgency
D) Cooperation
E) Power

Question 54

Once you have established who the key players are that will determine success, then you initiate contact and begin to build a relationship with those players. Less effective managers

A) spend the majority of their time outside their office.
B) are able to stay in touch with what is really going on through face-to-face interactions.
C) announce an open door policy and encourage others to see them when a problem or issue comes up.
D) initiate contact to provide encouragement and to reinforce the objectives and vision of the project.
E) talk with key stakeholders in attempt to keep abreast of developments and anticipate potential problems.

Question 55

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, giving a task that could result in a promotion, acknowledging someone's effort and accomplishments, and providing opportunities for linking with others are examples of ______-related currencies.

A) task
B) position
C) inspiration
D) relationship
E) personal

Question 56

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, sharing personnel, undertaking unwanted tasks, and providing technical knowledge are examples of ______-related currencies.

A) task
B) position
C) inspiration
D) relationship
E) personal

Question 57

When project managers recognize that if they want participants to exceed project expectations then they have to exceed others' expectations of a good project manager, they are leading by example through which of the following aspects?

A) Urgency
B) Problem solving
C) Priorities
D) Standards of performance
E) Ethics

Question 58

To provide greater clarity to business ethics, many companies and professional groups

A) encourage managers to rely on their own personal sense of right and wrong.
B) post consequences to unethical behavior.
C) publish a code of conduct.
D) conduct annual training seminars on business ethics.
E) establish a reward system for those who display ethical behavior.

Question 59

Which of the following would be defined as the ability to lead and manage yourself by establishing a sense for who you are, what you stand for and how you should behave?

A) Proactive
B) Emotional intelligence
C) Empathetic
D) Optimism
E) Personal integrity

Question 60

The following are necessary when mapping dependencies or building a social network EXCEPT

A) identify those on whom the project depends for success.
B) identify whose opposition would keep you from accomplishing the project.
C) examine what sources of influence you have relative to those on whom you depend.
D) focus on the relationships with project team members since they are doing the project work and you have most influence over them.
E) diagnose another's point of view as well as the basis for their positions.

Question 61

A side-effect of lack of trust in the other party is

A) increased cost to the project.
B) excessive number of deadlines missed.
C) often expending extra effort to understand the true meaning of communications.
D) loss of interest in the project.
E) None of these alternatives is correct.

Question 62

________ naturally compete with each other for resources and support from top management.

A) Project managers
B) Administrative support groups
C) Project sponsors
D) Government agencies
E) Outside organizations.

Question 63

Which of the following is not one of the five commonly traded organizational currencies?

A) Task-related currencies
B) Position-related currencies
C) Inspiration-related currencies
D) Relationship-related currencies
E) Innovation-related currencies

Question 64

_________-related currencies have more to do with strengthening the relationship with someone than directly accomplishing the project tasks.

A) Task
B) Position
C) Inspiration
D) Relationship
E) Personal

Question 65

_________-related currencies derive from people's burning desire to make a difference and add meaning to their lives.

A) Task
B) Position
C) Inspiration
D) Relationship
E) Personal

Question 66

_________-related currencies stem from the project manager's ability to enhance others' positions within the organization.

A) Task
B) Position
C) Inspiration
D) Relationship
E) Personal

Question 67

Management is about coping with complexity; ________ is about coping with change.

A) engineering
B) leadership
C) a change control board
D) execution
E) closing

Question 68

A highly visible, interactive management style is when the project manager's behavior symbolizes how other people should work on the project. This is called __________ by example.

A) leading
B) managing
C) engaging
D) adjusting
E) assessing

Question 69

Once project managers have proven their _________ to upper management, senior management is much more receptive to their challenges and requests.

A) trust
B) subordination
C) loyalty
D) respect
E) honesty

Question 70

A popular metaphor for the role of a project manager is that of ________.

A) pilot
B) captain
C) conductor
D) major
E) colonel

Question 71

People and organizations that are actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be positively or negatively affected by the project, are known as __________.

A) stakeholders
B) government agencies
C) project team members
D) vendors
E) contractors

Question 72

Managers spend the majority of their time outside their offices in the ________ style of management.

A) MBWA
B) EVA
C) PV
D) MIS
E) PMP

Question 73

Experienced project managers recognize the need to build __________ before they need them.

A) relationships
B) currencies
C) credits
D) wealth
E) experience

Question 74

Research consistently points out that project success is strongly affected by the degree to which a project has the support of ______.

A) government agencies
B) IT manager
C) vendors / suppliers
D) top management
E) functional managers

Question 75

________-related currencies enhance a colleague's sense of worth by sharing tasks that increase skills and abilities, delegating authority over work so that others experience ownership, and allowing individuals to feel comfortable stretching their abilities.

A) Task
B) Position
C) Inspiration
D) Relationship
E) Personal

Question 76

Mapping ____________ helps identify those on whom the project depends for success.

A) dependencies
B) currencies
C) values
D) goals
E) activities

Question 77

________ champion the project and use their influence to gain approval of the project.

A) Project sponsors
B) Project managers
C) Project team members
D) Vendors / suppliers
E) Functional managers

Question 78

________ define the scope of the project, and ultimate project success rests in their satisfaction.

A) Customers
B) Project managers
C) Vendors / suppliers
D) Functional managers
E) Top management

Question 79

One of the ways to allow others to build trust in you is to

A) celebrate staff birthdays on a regular basis.
B) allow adequate time for staff training.
C) never be late on a project.
D) behave in a consistent manner.
E) All of these alternatives are correct.

Question 80

__________-related currencies come directly from the project manager's ability to contribute to others' accomplishing their work.

A) Task
B) Position
C) Inspiration
D) Relationship
E) Personal