PRINCE2-Practitioner Exam Question 36

When does Directing a Project begin?
  • PRINCE2-Practitioner Exam Question 37

    HOTSPOT
    Scenario
    A photographer from Portraits Ltd, a professional photographic company, has taken on the role of Team Manager after taking some time to understand the requirements of the project. A contract for their services has been set up and is being monitored by the Purchasing Manager and a Work Package has been agreed. This contract specifies that the photographer must arrange a meeting with the Engineering Manager to establish a schedule for the photo sessions to minimize the impact on the Engineering staff. This meeting should have occurred by now.
    The Engineering Manager was made aware of this requirement but when asked he reported that he has received no communication from the photographer. The Project Manager has tried to call the photographer and has had no response. The Project Manager believes there is a risk that Portraits Ltd are overbooking work and prioritizing other clients' work. If Portraits ltd do not deliver on schedule the project will be delayed and the expected benefits will be reduced.
    The contract is to be reviewed and Portraits Ltd reminded of their agreement.
    The project is now in stage 2. The Project Manager has heard about the possibility of a competitor also producing a calendar to be delivered earlier than the target date for this project. There is a threat that the early release of a competitor's calendar may weaken the impact of the MNO Manufacturing Company calendar, thereby reducing the anticipated benefits of the Calendar project.
    Column 1 contains a number of risk responses identified by the Project Manager following an assessment of this risk. Column 2 contains a list of threat response types. For each risk response in Column 1, select from Column 2 the type of response it represents. Each option from Column 2 can be used once, more than once or not at all.
    Column 1 contains a number of possible risk responses to the above risk. For each risk response, select from Column 2 the appropriate risk threat response type that it represents. Each selection from Column 2 can be used once, more than once or not at all.

    PRINCE2-Practitioner Exam Question 38

    During stage 3, the operational staff that handle course bookings asked for the project scope to be increased for an online booking function. The additional product has been as it will enable them to process bookings more quickly and accurately.
    Is this an appropriate application of the 'focus on products' principle, and why?
  • PRINCE2-Practitioner Exam Question 39

    HOTSPOT
    Scenario
    Additional Information
    During the initiation stage the Project Manager met with the Marketing Director to find out more about the requirements of the promotional calendar and recorded the following notes:
    There has been a reduction in the order numbers at the MNO Manufacturing due in part to the increased marketing activities of its competitors. 10% of customers have not re-ordered in this financial year and staff morale is poor. A number of skilled staff have left as a result and replacement staff have not been recruited due to the reduced operation. If the project is successful, a recruitment campaign will be required to fill the existing staff vacancies and there may be a requirement for additional staff. Operational costs are likely to increase because skilled staff are expensive and difficult to find.
    In financial terms, there were a total of 1,500 orders in the last financial year, each with an average profit of
    £2k. The Marketing department believes that sending a promotional calendar to our current and prospective customers would increase orders by at least 10% with a minimum of 10 further orders from the list of prospective customers within 12 months from the date of distribution.
    The Marketing Director will be funding the project from the business marketing budget. She believes that the effect of a good company image portrayed by a successful calendar would last into a second year. She has forecast the same increase in orders for a second year and predicts that the annual employee satisfaction survey will show a measurable improvement in staff morale.
    A number of alternatives were explored, including:
    20% discount for all repeat customers - not cost-effective and very short term

    A promotional calendar as a free Christmas gift - would target current and prospective customers and

    the benefits would last into a second year
    A series of television and press advertisements was too expensive

    A direct mail shot to all customers - benefit would be short term

    Creation of an internet website - would not suit all customers

    The calendar is seen as the favored option, as long as the company's competitors do not increase their marketing activity. Whilst the Marketing department wants a very high quality, glossy product, the project management team must be aware of the cost this will incur.
    Using the Project Scenario and the additional Information provided for this question In the Scenario Booklet, answer the following question.
    Lines A to E in the table below consist of an assertion statement and a reason statement. For each line identify the appropriate option, from options A to E, that applies. Each option can be used once, more than once or not at all.
    Hot Area:

    PRINCE2-Practitioner Exam Question 40

    The government agency held a seminar for training organizations to discuss the approach to accreditation for new health and safety courses. The project manager attended on behalf of ABC Company. Other training organizations described delays that had occurred when accrediting course material in the past. As a result, the project manager has produced a report recommending ways to improve the 'classroom-based training materials' to avoid such delays.
    Is this an appropriate application of the principle 'learn from experience', and why?