Deck 3: Project Life Cycle and Project Conception

Question 1

A complete proposal should include:

A) time and cost estimates
B) a brief resume of key personnel
C) project purpose, objectives, and work approach
D) description of the project organization
E) all of the above

Answer 1

all of the above

Question 2

Phase A of the System Development Cycle is

A) Operation
B) Execution
C) Conception
D) Definition

Answer 2

Conception

Question 3

The project proposal is most often prepared during which phase of the systems development cycle?

A) Definition
B) Operation
C) Execution
D) Conception

Answer 3

Conception

Question 4

Phased project planning

A) is the same as fast tracking
B) means the project is conducted stepwise, often with a review at the end of each step
C) means the plan for each phase of the project is prepared at the start of the phase
D) has no relation to project gating

Question 5

The purpose of contract negotiation is to

A) help contractors decide whether or not to prepare proposals in response to the RFP
B) allow the customer the opportunity to explain the problem/need to contractors
C) help the customer decide who among several well-qualified contractors should be chosen
D) establish user requirements to be included in the RFP

Question 6

The contract statement of work (CSOW) defines

A) the expected performance of the project in terms of scope, requirements, results, schedules, costs, price, payment schedules
B) ways to handle changes or variations
C) each party's responsibilities and liabilities
D) any or all of these

Question 7

A complete RFP should include (circle all that apply):

A) a statement describing the contractor who will perform the work
B) a statement of the problem or work to be performed
C) information about the state of the economy
D) information about the expected proposal format and content
E) information about the selection timetable, criteria, and contract type

Question 8

A feasibility study

A) can be included in the initial investigation of the project
B) is conducted after project completion to assess the project's costs and benefits
C) can be performed by a contratctor and included in the project proposal
D) is used to assess whether or not the technology in the project is likely to work
E) is used to assess whether or not the end result is likely to succeed economically

Question 9

In defining user needs, which of the following are true (circle all that apply):

A) the contractor defines the need first, then checks it with the customer
B) the user always knows what his needs are
C) there might be more than one user
D) the contractor should redefine the need in terms of the area in which he (the contractor) knows the most or has the greatest expertise
E) some of the needs might change and have to be redefined later

Question 10

Two projects, A and B, are scored using three criteria that are weighted in the proportion 0.20, 0.30, and 0.50. Using a 5-point scale for each of the criteria, Project A is scored 5, 3, 2; Project B is scored 5, 2, 5. Circle all of the following that are true:

A) Project A has a weighted rating of 2.9
B) Project A has a weighted rating of 3.33
C) Project B has a weighted rating of 4.1
D) Project B has a weighted rating of 3.33
E) None of the above are correct

Question 11

When planning a project, it is important to account for (circle all that apply):

A) any special training
B) the user requirements of other projects in the firm
C) any anticipated difficulties
D) the method of implementation
E) the availability of human and technical resources

Question 12

In which of the following kinds of contracts is the actual, final cost of the project unknown until after the project is completed (circle all that apply):

A) cost reimbursement contract
B) fixed price contract
C) incentive fee contract
D) none of these

Question 13

The purpose of contract negotiation is to (circle all that apply):

A) clarify technical terms of the contract
B) reach agreement on time, cost, and performance requirements
C) convince the user that the project has been completed
D) reach a contract agreement to the best advantage of the parties involved
E) help contractors decide whether or not they should prepare proposals in response to the RFP

Question 14

Signing of the contract ordinarily represents

A) approval for the project to begin
B) that the customer and the contractor have reached an agreement
C) completion of Phase A
D) completion of the project

Question 15

List in sequence the four phases of the systems development cycle.

Question 16

Statement: Following project initiation, momentum increases uniformly until the project is completed.

Question 17

Statement: In the systems development cycle, it is possible for the systems developer to be its own user.

Question 18

Statement: The request for proposal is sent from the contractor to potential users as an unsolicited proposal.

Question 19

Statement: So that the user can remain impartial, during the feasibility study the contractor should sever or minimize communication with the user.

Question 20

Statement: Unless a company strongly believes it can win a contract, there is no reason to submit a proposal.

Question 21

Statement: Before a project is begun, a preliminary feasibility study should be performed to determine if it has merit and should be pursued.

Question 22

Statement: The business case assesses the value and risks of a project at an early stage, and attempts to convince the customer/sponsor to undertake the project.

Question 23

Statement: When doing a feasibility study, the present system is ignored and alternative, potentially better systems are evaluated.

Question 24

Statement: Most proposals are rather brief and involve negligible effort.

Question 25

Statement: Part of a project's feasibility is determining the impact of the project or its end-item system on the natural environment.

Question 26

Statement: Sustainability matters are addressed in projects through a combination of climate-change adaptation and mitigation measures

Question 27

Statement: In most proposals, the first few pages-the introductory cover letter and executive summary-are often the most important part.

Question 28

Statement: The practice of fast-tracking involves performing the phases of the systems development cycle such that little time is wasted between when one phase is completed and the next phase is begun.

Question 29

Statement: Definition: a problem is a need that is unsatisfied.

Question 30

Statement: The initial investigation for a project is usually conducted by a hired contractor.

Question 31

Statement: Few projects involve contracts or the contracting process.

Question 32

Statement: A work requisition or work order describe the work expected of each party or work group in the project and authorizes it to begin work.