An agile project is running its fifth iteration out of 10. After the last retrospective, the team members realize that they had to work extra hours to deliver the committed work What should the project manager do?
Correct Answer: C
According to the Agile Practice Guide, one of the principles of agile project management is to "reflect on how to become more effective, then tune and adjust behavior accordingly" (Section 2.1). This implies that the project manager should facilitate regular retrospectives, where the team can inspect their work processes, identify what went well and what can be improved, and plan actions for the next iteration. By conducting a focused retrospective, the project manager can help the team to discover the root cause of why they had to work extra hours, and find ways to avoid or mitigate it in the future. This is also consistent with the PMBOK Guide, which states that "the project manager should use retrospectives to review the effectiveness of the project team and the project management approach" (Section 4.6.3.3). References: * Agile Practice Guide, Section 2.1 * PMBOK Guide, 6th Edition, Section 4.6.3.3
PMP Exam Question 867
A project manager has been assigned to complete a worksite project that was started by a different project manager. The project is now in the execution stage. Upon careful review, the project manager realizes that the local community was not included in the stakeholder register, which has resulted in extreme opposition from the community. How should the project manager handle this issue?
Correct Answer: C
According to the PMBOKGuide Seventh Edition, one of the project management principles is to engage stakeholders actively and frequently. This means that the project manager should identify and analyze the needs, expectations, and interests of all stakeholders, and involve them appropriately throughout the project life cycle. The stakeholder register is a document that lists the key stakeholders, their roles, responsibilities, and level of influence on the project. The stakeholder engagement plan is a document that describes the strategies and actions to communicate with, manage, and influence the stakeholders. In this scenario, the project manager has discovered that the local community was not included in the stakeholder register, which has caused them to oppose the project. This is a serious issue that can affect the project's performance, reputation, and acceptance. Therefore, the project manager should not disregard these stakeholders, as this would violate the principle of stakeholder engagement and potentially escalate the conflict. The project manager should also not just explain to the community members why they were not included as stakeholders, as this would not address their concerns or expectations. The best option is to update the stakeholder register and revise the stakeholder engagement plan, as this would allow the project manager to acknowledge the community as a stakeholder, assess their impact and interest, and develop appropriate strategies and actions to engage them effectively and proactively. References: * PMBOKGuide Seventh Edition, page 9 * Project Management Principles 9-12, Episode 479: Project Management Principles 9-12 (Free)
PMP Exam Question 868
One team member is not as active as the rest of the team during a brainstorming session The project manager has a separate conversation with the team member and learns that the team member is slightly hearing impaired The team member appreciates the project manager's concern The project manager then decides to change the time and room for the meeting to ensure everyone can participate What interpersonal skill did the project manager use?
Correct Answer: B
The correct answer is B. According to the PMBOKGuide, emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, assess, and manage the personal emotions of oneself and other people, as well as the collective emotions of groups of people1. The project manager demonstrated emotional intelligence by recognizing the team member's situation, showing empathy and concern, and taking action to accommodate the team member's needs and preferences. Networking, conflict management, and influencing are also interpersonal skills, but they are not relevant to this scenario. References: 1: PMBOKGuide, page 704
PMP Exam Question 869
A consultancy firm is finally selected and contracted for a project following an extensive and competitive procurement process. A few months into project execution, the client asks the project manager why the consultant is contracted for only 18 months instead of the full 32-month-long project. The project manager will need to carry out an unplanned second bidding process to ensure services are in place until the end of the project. What should the project manager have done to prevent this?
Correct Answer: A
The best practice in project management, as per the PMBOK Guide, involves developing a comprehensive procurement management plan. This plan should detail all the necessary procurement activities, timelines, and resources required for the project. Having the client approve this plan ensures that both the project manager and the client have a mutual understanding of the procurement timeline and deliverables, which would prevent the scenario of an unexpected contract duration discrepancy. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) - Sixth Edition1.
PMP Exam Question 870
A company just started managing a project using an agile approach Due to this change, the general manager is worried about the scope definition process for upcoming projects What should the project manager do to ensure the project scope is completely defined?
Correct Answer: A
In an agile project management context, the scope is not fixed but is regularly reviewed and adapted based on stakeholder feedback and project progress12. The project manager should facilitate collaboration among sponsors, stakeholders, and the team to ensure a shared understanding of the product vision and to clarify expectations3. This approach aligns with the agile principle of welcoming changing requirements and focusing on customer collaboration over contract negotiation1. References: * "What Is Agile Project Management? | A Comprehensive Guide"1. * "What is Scope Management in Agile Project Management - BVOP"2. * "Iron Triangle Project Management | Atlassian"3.
