Deck 10: Leadership: Being an Effective Project Manager

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

B
Explanation: Administration support,such as human resources and information systems,provide valuable support services.At the same time they impose constraints and requirements on the project such as the documentation of expenditures and the timely and accurate delivery of information.

Question 2

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

A) Management.
B) Leadership.
C) Monitoring.
D) Corrective action.
E) Controlling.

Answer 2

B
Explanation: Well-defined projects that encounter no significant surprises require little leadership.

Question 3

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

Answer 3

E
Explanation: Personal-related currencies deal with individual needs and an overriding sense of self-esteem.

Question 4

Project success or failure often is reliant upon the contributions of all of the following groups of stakeholders EXCEPT

A) Customers.
B) Suppliers.
C) Contractors.
D) Competitors.
E) Top management.

Question 5

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 6

When managing 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 7

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 8

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 9

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

A) Other organizations.
B) Customers.
C) Contractors.
D) Government agencies.
E) Administrative support.

Question 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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 20

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 21

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

Question 22

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

Question 23

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

Question 24

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 25

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) Coolness under pressure
C) Emotional intelligence
D) Empathy
E) Management sensitivity

Question 26

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) Sense of purpose
E) Personal integrity

Question 27

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 28

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

Question 29

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 30

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

A) Pessimist.
B) Proactive.
C) Skillful politician.
D) Effective time management.
E) Personal integrity.

Question 31

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 32

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 33

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 34

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

Question 35

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

Question 36

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 37

Networks among stakeholders are mutually beneficial alliances that are generally governed by the law of ________.

Question 38

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

Question 39

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

Question 40

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

Question 41

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

Question 42

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

Question 43

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

Question 44

When project managers take action before it is needed to prevent small concerns from escalating into major problems they are being _______.

Question 45

The ability or skill to perceive,assess and manage the emotions of one's self and others is called _________ intelligence.

Question 46

When project managers have a can-do attitude and when they are able to maintain a positive attitude during a dismal day and keep others' attention positive as well,they are demonstrating ___________.

Question 47

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

Question 48

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

Question 49

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

Question 50

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

Question 51

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.

Question 52

To provide greater clarity to business _________,many companies and professional groups publish a code of conduct.

Question 53

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

Question 54

The key to exercising influence is to build _______.

Question 55

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

Question 56

________-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.

Question 57

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.

Question 58

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

Question 59

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 __________.

Question 60

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

Question 61

Identify and briefly describe the five commonly traded organizational currencies.

Question 62

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 63

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

Question 64

In regard to a network of stakeholders there are three "rings" or "tiers." Describe each ring and give an example of a group of stakeholders found in each.

Question 65

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

Question 66

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.

Question 67

"Managing a project and leading a project are essentially the same thing." Agree or disagree,and support your conclusion.

Question 68

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

Question 69

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 70

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

Question 71

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

Question 72

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

Question 73

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

Question 74

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 75

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

Question 76

"Strong leadership is not always necessary to successfully complete a project." Agree or disagree,and support your conclusion.

Question 77

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

Question 78

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

Question 79

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

Question 80

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