NPTEL Project Management Week 1 Assignment Answers 2024
1. ____________ is a subset of a project consisting of work packages.
- Task
- Program
- Project
- Process
Answer: Task
Explanation: A task is a smaller unit of work within a project and consists of work packages, making it a subset of the overall project.
2. The overwhelming majority of all projects are of what size?
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Very large
Answer: Small
Explanation: Most projects undertaken globally are small in scale, involving limited resources, time, and budget.
3. As sub-elements of a task, these _____________ need to be accomplished to achieve the objectives of the task.
- subprojects
- programs
- work packages
- levels of effort
Answer: Work packages
Explanation: Work packages are the smallest units of work and are considered components of a task that help achieve its objectives.
4. _____________ is the process of evaluating individual projects or groups of projects and then choosing to implement some set of them so that the objectives of the parent organisation will be achieved.
- Project selection
- Project initiation
- Project management
- Project control
Answer: Project selection
Explanation: Project selection involves choosing projects that align with organizational goals and add the most value.
5. A project selected using the sacred cow model is likely to be maintained until completed or until ___________.
- the project exceeds its budget
- the project falls behind schedule
- The boss recognises the project as a failure and terminates it
- the project manager is terminated
Answer: The boss recognises the project as a failure and terminates it
Explanation: In the sacred cow model, a project continues based on a top executive’s interest and stops only when that executive deems it a failure.
6. The “stretched-S” pattern observed during the project life cycle, for the most part, is a result of the ____________.
- changing levels of resources used during successive stages of the project life cycle
- changing attitudes of the people who work in the project.
- difficulty in performing the individual activities of a project.
- principle that work expands to fill the allotted time
Answer: Changing levels of resources used during successive stages of the project life cycle
Explanation: The stretched-S curve represents how resource usage starts slowly, increases rapidly, and then levels off as the project nears completion.
7. If a company’s predicted inflation rate goes down (deflation), what happens to their projects’ net present value (NPV)?
- Goes up
- Unchanged
- Goes down
- Positive NPV’s go up, negative NPV’s go down
Answer: Goes up
Explanation: Deflation increases the value of future cash flows, leading to a higher NPV.
8. According to Agile Principles, the most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is______________
- Virtual Meeting
- Reports
- Face-to-face conversation
Answer: Face-to-face conversation
Explanation: Agile methodology emphasizes direct communication for clarity, speed, and minimizing misunderstandings.
9. Which one of the benefits have organisations obtained through the adoption of Agile methods?
- Less collaboration among stakeholders and team members
- Slow delivery of products with working functionality.
- Higher customer satisfaction due to receiving customer input and feedback throughout the project
- Reduced performance visibility
Answer: Higher customer satisfaction due to receiving customer input and feedback throughout the project
Explanation: Agile promotes continuous stakeholder involvement and feedback, leading to better-aligned products and increased satisfaction.
10. The drawback of the _____________ model is that it fails to consider cash flows obtained once the initial investment has been recovered.
- Payback period
- Average rate of return
- Discounted cash flow
- Profitability index
Answer: Payback period
Explanation: The payback period only measures how quickly an investment is recovered and ignores any benefits gained after that period.