Free PRINCE2-Practitioner Exam Practice Test

Which of the following is not a factor to consider when determining the length of a stage?

• The amount of resources available h the short term
• How far ahead you can sensibly plan n detail
• The technical stages within the project
• The amount of risk associated with the project

Project ScenarioCalendar Project (Note: The companies and people within the scenario are fictional.)There has been a reduction in fie number of orders at the MNO Manufacturing Company due in part to the increased marketing activities of its competitors. To help counter this, the company has decided to create a promotional calendar for next year for all its current and prospective customers. The end product of this project will be a prepared calendar pack, ready for printing. The design of the calendar will be similar to one sent out previously, and must reflect the company image as described in the existing corporate branding standards. Another project is currently producing a new company logo when is to be printed on each page of the promotional calendar. The prepared calendar pack will consist of:Design for each month - correctly showing at public holidays and new company logoSelected photographs- 12 professionally-produced photographs, showing different members of staffSelected paper and selected envelope - for printing and mailing the calendarChosen label design - a competition to design a label will be held as part of this projectList of customers - names and addresses of customers to whom the calendar will be sent.The project is currently in initiation and will have two further stages:Stage 2 will include tie activities to:Create the customer fast using information from the Accounts and Marketing departmentsConfirm compliance with the Data Protection LegislationCreate a design for each month - this will be done by the internal creative teamSelect and appoint a professional photographerGather photograph design ideas from previous project and agree photographic session schedulePrepare a production cost forecastSelect paper and envelope.Stage 3 will include the activities to:Produce and select tie professionally-taken photographsHold the label design competition and choose the label designAssemble the prepared calendar pack.A production cost forecast, based on the options and costs for the paper, envelope, printing and marketing of the calendar is to be produced in stage 2. However, the actual production and distribution of the calendars is not within the scope of the project. The product cost forecast will be reviewed by the Project Board to determine whether tie project should continue.It is now 05 October and the prepared calendar pack must be delivered to the print company by 30 November, to enable printing and distribution of the calendar in time for Christmas. The cost of the activities to develop the specialist products and the cost of the project management activities are estimated to be 20,000. There is a project time tolerance of +1 week /-2 weeks and a project cost tolerance of +6,000 / -6,000. A change budget of 500 has been allocated but there is no risk budget.During stage 2, if the Project Manager decides to recommend that the Project Plan is revised to finish three weeks later, which statement is correct?

• The tolerances stated in the Project Plan CANNOT be changed.
• The Executive needs to seek formal approval from corporate management to implement this change.
• The current project must close prematurely and be restarted with a new Project Plan, a new Business Case and new Risk Register.
• The revision of the Project Plan would have to wait until the end stage assessment of stage 2.

Which of the following is NOT a trigger for the project manager to authorize a work package?

• Stage Authorization
• Corrective Action
• Exception plan approved
• Reporting highlights

MANAGING A STAGE BOUNDARYThe project is approaching the end of stage 3 and the pilot courses have been planned. The project manager is now undertaking the 'managing a stage boundary' process.Which action should the project manager undertake as part of the 'update the business case' activity?

• Identify the dependencies between the activities required to run the 'delivered pilot courses' during stage 4.
• Revise the overall plan and resources to complete the project, based on actuals from the stage 3 plan.
• Review the performance of the external suppliers who worked on delivery of the 'e-learning course' during stage 3.
• Re-plan when the number of learners using the pilot course, and their increased knowledge, will be measured during stage 4.

The change control approach defines how products should be controlled and protected during the project. The accreditation of the 'classroom-based training materials' was planned to take place during stage 2. At the end of the stage, the configuration item record shows that the 'classroom-based training materials' have been accredited. However, the project manager decides to request an audit of the product as well.Is this appropriate, and why?

• Yes, because the project should verify that the recorded status reflects the actual status of the products.
• Yes, because the change control approach should specify how the configuration item records are approved.
• No, because the project manager should ensure that the change control approach is tailored to the project.
• No, because the issue management and change control procedures can be treated as separate, but related, procedures.

ScenarioA 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.Which 2 statements should be recorded under the Roles and responsibilities heading?

• Each risk will be assigned a risk owner.
• Risks exceeding the agreed project risk tolerance will be reported to the Project Board.
• Risk tolerances are allocated to each stage by the Project Manager.
• Project Assurance will ensure that project risks are identified, assessed and controlled according to the agreed risk management procedure.
• An external consultant is to facilitate a risk identification workshop.

Which of the following is False?A Successful project management team should.

• Have business, user and supplier stakeholder representation
• Never be reviewed as members should stay with the team for the duration
• Ensure appropriate governance by defining responsibilities for directing, managing and delivering the project and clearly defining accountability at all levels
• Have an effective strategy to manage communication flows to and from stakeholders

As a result of experiences on previous projects, a change authority has been established for the Health and Safety Training Project. A key client for the training materials has a representative on the project board.Should their interests be represented within the change authority for the project, and why?

• Yes, because this will give them a better understanding of the training materials.
• Yes, because a change authority should consider external stakeholder needs.
• No, because the change authority should be internal to the ABC organization.
• No, because their project board member will be able to agree any required changes.

ScenarioAdditional InformationChief Executive Officer (CEO): He started the company 25 years ago and knows his job very well. He injured his leg two years ago which has restricted his visits to the engineering area. As CEO he has an overall perspective of the business strategic requirements and the authority to commit resources as required.Marketing Director: She has been with the company for three years, following a successful career with a publicity company. She has the ability to represent the needs of the business, particularly as this is a marketing project. She has the authority to commit the annual business marketing budget, from which the project will be funded, as she sees appropriate. She will be responsible for monitoring the expected benefits of the calendar, in particular the improvement of the company's image.Engineering Manager: He has been responsible for many engineering innovations in the company and is still as keen and energetic as the day he started. VVhilst he will not be part of the project team, his staff will feature in the photos for the promotional calendar.Central Records: This group of five staff looks after all company records and document control. They now maintain all project files.Bright Lights: This is the local office supplies company. It supplies all the stationery and office equipment needs of the company and will supply the stationery for this project.Portraits ltd: This is a professional photographic company with a number of excellent photographers and a history of successful work. This company has been selected to take the photos for the company calendar. It has yet been decided which of the photographers to use.Which 2 statements explain why the Marketing Director should be appointed as a Senior User for this project?

• She can represent the Marketing department.
• She previously had a successful career in publicity.
• The Marketing department will help to deliver the benefits of this project.
• The project will be funded from the business marketing budget.
• A number of the products will be produced by the Sales department and the Marketing department.

ScenarioAdditional InformationDuring 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 termA promotional calendar as a free Christmas gift - would target current and prospective customers and the benefits would last into a second yearA series of television and press advertisements was too expensiveA direct mail shot to all customers - benefit would be short termCreation of an internet website - would not suit all customersThe 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.Which 2 statements should be recorded under the Expected benefits heading?

• Increase orders by at least 10% with a minimum of 10 further orders from the list of prospective customers within 12 months.
• It will be similar to calendars sent out in previous years
• The Marketing department believes that the benefits of a good company image, as portrayed by a successful calendar, will last into a second year and bring the same increase in orders.
• The calendar will contain photos of both staff and company products.
• The Marketing department want a very high quality, glossy product as they believe this will be more appealing to customers.