Flash cards - 8. Quality management

Below are flash card simulation questions on the chapter Quality management.
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1. Difference between Quality vs Grade. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
Quality = conformance to requirements/ specifications;
Grade = same functional use but different technical charecteristics
Low quality = problem;

Low Grade = not a problem;

2.Difference between Precision vs Accuracy. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
Accuracy = assessment of correctness

Precision = measure of exactness (when number of arrows are away from bull’s eye yet still closely grouped  high precision but low accuracy) (scale used in school has precision of 1mm (that close the marks are) and bigger scales may have precision of 1 cm)

3. What is PDCA cycle. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

 walter shewhart introduced; 

 Deming made popular; Called Deming wheel, Deming cycle

 Plan-Do-Check-Act

Philosophy  Kaizen/ Constant and Never Ending Improvement

4. what is Cost benefit analysis with respect to quality. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

 It's analyzing cost of doing quality vs gains obtained 

  Less cost on quality = defect product= less buyers; 

  More cost on quality = price rise= less buyers Find Optimal cost at which max buyers (This is called marginal analysis)

  Gold plating = more quality/ features than what customers wanted = cost increases

5. What is Cost of Quality?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Cost of Quality = Cost of conformance + Cost of non-conformance

6.  What is Cost of conformance?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Cost of conformance = cost of prevention + cost of appraisal/ inspection

Cost of prevention= training + documented processes+ equipment

Cost of appraisal/ inspection = testing + destructive testing loss + inspection

7. what is Cost of non-conformance. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Cost of non-conformance = cost of internal failure + cost of external failure

 Cost of internal failures = rework+ scrap

 Cost of external failures = warranty/ liability + lost business

8. What are 7 Basic Quality tools?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

1.cause-effect diagram = ishikawa diagram/ fish-bone diagram

2.Pareto diagram = 80/20 principle (vital few : trivial many)

3.Scatter diagram = to find any relation between x and y (x and y could be cause and effect or two causes) = also called correlation chart

4.Control charts = Mean or central line (CL), Upper control limit (UCL), LCL; All processes/ defects within UCL-LCL = In-Control; values lie outside LCL or UCL = out of control;

5.Flowcharts =To anticipate what quality problems might be and where they might occur

6.Histogram= Special form of bar chart ; Each bar can represent an attribute, such as defects due to a specific cause; No reference to time and no particular order for the bars

7.Checklists/ Check sheet/ tally sheets to gather, log and keep track of data

9. What is Rule of seven?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

7 consecutive points between CL-UCL or CL-LCL = out of control; Even though all points within LCL-UCL;

 Mean or central line = CL , Upper control limit = UCL; Lower control limit = LCL

10. Difference between Quality checklist and Check sheet?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Quality checklist (output of plan quality management) is different from this ‘Check sheet or Tally sheet’ (of 7QC tools); primary purpose of check sheet (7QC) is to gather data while quality checklist is ‘list of items to be inspected or list of steps to be followed’

11. What is run chart?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Run chart = not part of 7 Quality control tools; Used  to predict future results based on past performance;

12. Difference between Attribute sampling and Variable sampling. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

 Attribute sampling =the result either conforms or does not conform

 Variables sampling =the result is rated on a continuous scale that measures the degree of conformity

13. What is Design of experiments?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

It's statistical method to determine number and type of tests; in IT industry, its called test planning;

14. What is Benchmarking?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

It's comparing with other best project/ deliverable; Those other project/deliverables may be within or outside application/ organization;

15. What are Quality metrics (examples)?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Describes how you measure attributes of a deliverable; e.g. Defect density(DD), Defects per million operations (DPMO), Mean time between failure (MTBF), Mean time to resolve (MTTR), Defect removal efficiency (DRE)

16. What are Quality checklists?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Checklists can be used to avoid common errors; Checklists can be used for inspecting products;

17. Difference between Quality Assurance and Quality Control. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

QA = to prevent defects (proactive processes);

QC = to identify defects in fished product (reactive)

QA = whether we are following process or not; e.g. project audits, process checklists

QC = checking, verifying, inspecing; e.g. peer reviews, testing;

18. What are Quality Audits?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

External, 3rd party review = structured and independent to verify project activities comply organizations' processes; Auditors can pass some good things done by other projects

19. What are Process analysis. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

To identify improvements in existing processes;

20. Difference between Prevention vs Inspection?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Prevention = proactive = keep errors out of process;

Correction = reactive = keep errors out of customers;

21. What is difference between Standards vs Regulations. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Standard = guideline to be followed; not mandatory;

Regulation = imposed by government or institutions; They may be self-imposed regulations too;

22. Difference between quality audit and process improvement?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Quality audit	Process improvement
REVIEW: Verify conformance/non-conformance of process	ANALYZE: No non-conformance/ shortcomings but still identify further improvements in process

23.  What are Tree diagrams. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

 Useful in visualizing parent-child relationship

 Also called systematic diagrams

 E.g. WBS, RBS, OBS

24. What are Interrelationship diagraph. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Used for complex solutions where cause-effect of problems and benefits are intertwined with one another e.g. plumbing, framing etc in construction project

25. What are Prioritization matrices. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

To do Pairwise comparisons; Prioritize and give weightage scores to alternatives and then rank the alternatives

Flash cards- 9. Human resources management

Below are flash card simulation questions on the chapter Human resources management.
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1. What are constraints while planning human resources?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Constraints while planning human resources: 
 Organization structure
 Collective bargaining agreements

 Economic conditions

2. What is Resource breakdown structure – RBS. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

It shows responsibilities by resources. For e.g. work package 1.1 is responsibility of R&D team etc, and within that activity 1.1.1 is responsibility of Architects, 1.1.2 is responsibility of developers and 1.1.3 activity is responsibility of testers etc

3. What is Responsibility Assignment Matrix?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Illustrates connections between – work packages/ activities/ team members. Looks like below:

RAM	Teammate1	Teammate2	Teammate3
Activity 1.1 (for work package 2.3)	P		S
Activity 1.1 (for work package 2.3)	S	P

P=primary, S=Secondary

4.What is RACI chart?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

RACI – Responsible, Accountable, Consult and Inform matrix

Unlike RAM which simply shows primary/secondary responsible person, RACI chart ensures clear division of roles rather than primary/secondary etc. It looks like below:

RACI	Teammate1	Teammate2	Teammate3	Teammate4
Activity 1.1 (for work package 2.3)	R	I	A	C
Activity 1.1 (for work package 2.3)	RA	C		I

R=Responsible, A=Accountable, C= Consult I= Inform

5. What is Text oriented chart. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Information such as responsibilities, authority, competencies, and qualifications. Also called position descriptions and role-responsibility-authority forms. For example is Job description is written as text rather than as chart

6. What is Resource histogram? . (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

It's the chart can include a horizontal line that represents the maximum number of hours available from a particular resource. Bars that extend beyond the maximum available hours identify the need for a resource optimization strategy such as adding more resources or modifying the schedule.

7. What is Pre-assignment, with respect to acquiring team. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Names already known (e.g. PM) i.e. some team members selected in advance.

8. What are virtual teams? (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Virtual team = team members working in different geographic locations.

Disadvantages related to virtual teams: misunderstandings, isolation, difficulties in sharing knowledge, cost of appropriate technology.

Communication planning becomes increasingly important in a virtual team environment.

9. What is Co-location  with respect to acquiring team. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Same physical location for team members– for peak team performance – may be temporary – may be at ‘War room’

Also called tight matrix (tight matrix has nothing to do with matrix organizations)

10. What is Multi criteria decision analysis with respect to acquiring team. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Criteria developed, weighted and used to rate or score potential team members. Examples of criteria: availability of team member, cost, experience level, ability, knowledge, skills, attitude, international factors like location

11. What is meaning of 'ground rule'. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Ground rules = Rules for acceptable behavior by team members

12. What are 5 steps in Tuckman ladder model of team performance?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Forming

Storming

Norming

Performing

Adjourning

13. What are different Types of power PM can have?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Legitimate power (formal), Referent (association), Reward power(award, bonus), punishment (withold bonus, award), Expert

14. What are 3 reasons for conflict as per PMBOK?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

scarce resources

Scheduling prioritization

Personal work style

15. What are main Sources of conflict (priority wise). (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

scarce resources, 

scheduling prioritization, 

personal work style,

cost disagreements,

Technical opinions

16. What is the difference between team performance assessment vs project performance appraisal. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

team performance assessment	project performance appraisal
team performance assessment evaluates team’s effectiveness as whole	project performance appraisal deals with how each member is performing on the project
Output of a process	Tool and technique of another process

17.What are different Conflict Resolution Techniques?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Withdraw, smoothen, compromise, Force, collaborative.

Best method among these is collaborative method.

Withdrawal/Avoid = postponing issue- to solve later or by other

Smooth/Accommodate = conceding the position for harmony

Compromise/Reconcile = some degree of satisfaction to all

Force/Direct = Win-lose approach

Collaborate/Problem Solve= examine alternatives, give and take, open dialogue. Win-win approach (called confrontation with problem as per old pmbok).

18. What are 5 needs as per Maslow's theory of needs?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Basic needs , 

safety/ security, 

social needs, 

self-esteem, 

self actualization

19. What is McGregors theory X and Y?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Theory X manager = micromanages team (always bad manager)      Theory Y manager = fully trusts team (always good manager)

20. What is Ouchi's theory Z?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Better than McGregors theory X and Y managements. Ensures workers participation in management.

Lifetime employment.

Based on book: How american business can meet japanese challenge

21. What McCllends achievement theory says?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Achievement, 

power, 

affiliation.

These 3 are needed to keep employee motivated

22. What is Herzberg's hygiene and motivation theory. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Hygene factor doesn’t motivate but absence of it demotivates. What motivates is work itself.

23. What are List of hygiene factors and motivation factors as per Herzberg's hygiene and motivation theory.. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Hygene factors: Working conditions, salary, security, personal life.

List of motivators: work, challenge, recognition

24. What does Vroom's expectancy theory says?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Give people expectation of reward.Reward should be achievable.

Flash cards - 10. Communications Management

Below are flash cards simulation questions on the chapter Project Communications management.
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1. What is Interactive communication (Examples). (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
E.g. meetings, calls, video conference; They are most effective.

2. What is Push communication (Examples). (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
E.g. email, fax. Memo etc, press release

3. What is Pull communication (Examples). (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
E.g. intranet, repository, e-learning;
They can be retrieved anytime, from anywhere

4. What is Para-lingual communication.. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
E.g. tone and pitch of voice

5. What is Body language (Non-verbal). (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
E.g. gesture, facial expressions, appearance

6.What are different types of communication?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
Different types of communication = Reading, writing, listening, speaking. Also classified as:
Internal vs external
Formal vs informal (email is informal)
Official vs unofficial
Vertical vs horizontal
Written vs oral
Verbal vs non-verbal

7. What is formula for total number of channels, if there are 'n' number of stakeholders. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Total number of potential communication channels = n(n – 1)/2, where n represents the number of stakeholders

8. What is the meaning of feedback?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

To confirm message is understood, sender can ask feedback -i.e. receiver to explain in his own words, what the message is about

9. What is examples of Formal written communication. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
e.g. contract, system requirement

10. What is Formal verbal (Examples) communication. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
E.g. presentation, seminar

11. What is informal written (Examples) communication. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
E.g. email, chat

12. What is Informal verbal (Examples) communication. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
meetings, calls

Flash cards - 11. Risk management

Below are flash cards simulation questions on the chapter Project Risk management.
Both question and answer are given below.
Answer is hidden by giving the font color of text and background color as same. 
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1. What is Risk (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer: Uncertain event or condition that, if occurs has a positive or negative effect on one or more project objectives e.g. scope, schedule, cost & quality

2. What is difference between pure risk and business risk. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Pure risk = opportunity for loss only; Always a negative risk; e.g. natural calamity
Business risk =  opportunity for loss or gain

3. What is difference between known risk and unknown risk. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Known risk = we can anticipate and plan
Unknown risk = we can't anticipate and plan; take work around action - when this happens

4. Difference between risk and issue? (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
Risk is uncertain event that might happen; Once risk identified, impact should be analyzed and response should be planned; Issue is the event that has already occurred. Once issue identified, it should be resolved or escalated; If risk is realized, it is called Issue

5. What is Secondary risk. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
Secondary risks = caused by implementation of a response for other risk

6. What is Residual risk. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
Residual risk = leftover risk after response is implemented.

7. What is difference between Risk appetite, Risk tolerance and Risk threshold. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Risk appetite	Risk tolerance (utility)	Risk threshold
how much uncertainty he can risk	how much risk he can withstand (also called utility function)	below this risk threshold only, he can take risk but not above
Expressed in high-level description	Expressed in measurable quantities	Expressed in measurable quantities
Risk appetite, Risk tolerance and Risk threshold apply to organization as well as stake holders	Risk appetite, Risk tolerance and Risk threshold apply to organization as well as stake holders	Risk appetite, Risk tolerance and Risk threshold apply to organization as well as stake holders
e.g. one investing in shares has more risk appetite than one doing Fixed deposits	e.g. same guy who invested in share can withstand max loss of 1 lakh but not more than that	e.g. same guy invests in stocks only that can give 40% loss or 40% profit. He won’t go for stocks/ Futures that can give 200% profit or 100% loss
e.g. Customer has slight risk appetite- he can withstand delay in schedule (expressed as description)	e.g. same customer willing to accept for schedule risk of 14 days	e.g. same customer’s risk threshold is 16 days or longer i.e. 16 days or longer NOT acceptable

8. What is Risk register (when created?). (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
During identify risks and updated in all subsequent risk processes. Similarly stakeholder register created during identify stakeholder process and updated in all subsequent stakeholder process

9. What is Purpose of Qualitative Risk analysis?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
Prioritize and select the risks for for further detailed quantitative risk  analysis. 
Qualitative analysis= mandatory; 
Quantitative analysis = optional;

10. What is Probability and Impact matrix?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

x-axis = probability of risk occurrence - low, medium-high; y-axis = impact if risk occurs - significant-moderate-minor;

11. What is Risk data quality assessment?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Data used to do qualitative risk analysis- but how good is that data . 
How accurate is that data; This kind of analysis is called Risk data quality assessment.

12. What is Risk urgency assessment?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

How soon/ how far is this risk happening.

13. What is Risk categorization. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

E.g. technical, external, organizational, project management

14. What is Risk Breakdown structure. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

• Lists categories and sub-categories of risks
• Grouping potential causes of risk e.g. Technical / Functional; Internal/ External
• Helps the project team to look at many sources from which project risk may arise

15. What is Risk prioritization number (risk score). (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

• RPN = p*I ; RPN high = most important risk
• p = probability = 0 to 1 - boundaries excluded; I = 1 to 10 - boundaries included

16. What is sensitivity analysis using tornado diagram. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:
It is special bar chart. looks like tornado as max value bar on top;

17. What is Modelling and Simulation using Monte Carlo ?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

It is complex software; 
Monte Carlo = based on probability; indicates which outcome has max probability of happening;

18. What is Expected Monetary Value (EMV). (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

• EMV = ∑ (p*i);
• Statistical concept to calculate average outcome

19. What is Checklist analysis (as part of identify risks)?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

• Risk identification checklists are developed based on historical information and knowledge
• The lowest level of the RBS can also be used as a risk checklist.
• Quick and simple. But team should explore for risks not present in checklist
• Checklists need to be reviewed periodically and during closure

20. What is SWOT analysis?. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Look at strengths and weakness of the projects to identify opportunities (positive risks) and threats ( negative risks)

21.  What is difference between Qualitative risk analysis vs Quantitative risk analysis. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor).
Answer:

 QuaLitative = to prioritize risks by estimating the probability of the occurrence of a risk and its impact on the project= provides a List of quaLified risks
 Quantitative = to perform numerical analysis to estimate the effect of each identified risk on the overall project objectives
 Qualitative = mandatory; rapid and cost effective method; performed regularly throughout project 
 Quantitative = optional;

22. What are Strategies for negative risks or threats. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

avoid- mitigate- transfer - accept; avoid = may introduce secondary risks

23. What are Strategies for positive risks or opportunities. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

exploit - share - enhance - accept; exploit = make sure it happens; enhance = improve probability and/ or impact

24. What is Contingency Response Strategy. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Its a response for a predefined condition; Certain strategies designed to trigger only when certain things happen;

25. What is Risk re-assessment? (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)

Answer:

Do it to identify - new risks, closing risks, status updates; do at least once a month;

26. What is Risk reserve analysis? (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Compare contingency reserve remaining vs amount of risk remaining; 

27. What is Murphy's law? (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

If a thing can go wrong, it will happen at worst time in worst possible scenario;

28. What is Workaround? (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Unplanned response to emerging risk unexpected

29. What is passive acceptance? (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Do nothing to plan for risk

30. What is active acceptance. (To see the answer, pls highlight text by selecting it with mouse cursor)
Answer:

Active acceptance = allocate reserves and formulate contingency plan