checks for plagiarism

Midterm

Examination may be answered with open books and notes, but no collaboration or consultation with others. When you have completed your response, post as a Microsoft Word document using the .doc or .docx format.

To help keep your exams organized for grading on a short schedule, the following formatting rules are required. Penalties will be assessed if the rules are not followed.

1. Your exam must be a single document. If you wish to include diagrams, spreadsheets, etc., assemble them into a single, readable document. Further, the responses to the examination questions must be in the same order as in this document.

1. The document must have a header on the left side, which should read:

Lastname, Firstname

1. The right side of the header should read:

Page [k] of [n], where k is the appropriate page number and n is the total number of pages.

1. The first line of the main section of your document should read:

Lastname, Firstname

1. Use a font size of at least 12 points and a font type such as Arial or Times New Roman.

1. Do not right justify the margins.

1. Include the exam question numbers and questions with your response. Do not include these instructions.

1. I am not asking for regurgitation from the texts or other published sources. (Your exams may be sent to our service that checks for plagiarism. If you are found to have plagiarized your answers, you will get a failing grade. I want to read your personal formulation of ideas derived from the material you have read, coupled with your experience. Some of you may have noted my opinions on certain subjects. You do not have to agree with me; contrary views are acceptable. Just present cogent arguments either way.

1. Be concise and to the point. The entire examination response (including the questions) must not have more than 1,250 words. A penalty of up to twenty (20) percent may be assessed for exceeding this requirement. References are not required or desired. Use Tools-Word Count without any text selected to determine the number of words in your response.

1. I recommend allowing enough time to review your responses before posting them. After you have finished your examination, check your spelling and grammar before you post. In addition, check that you have answered all the questions and all parts of each question.

Remember:

1. This examination is worth 15 percent of your course grade.

1. Each answer will receive a score from based on the question’s value in 1-percent increments.

1. Answer all five questions.

1. Concise answers are required. Demonstrate your understanding, not your key entry ability.

1. If an examination is not received by the deadline, the grade will be reduced by twenty (20) percent for each day (or portion thereof) that it is late.

Go to the next page to start the exam.

Midterm Examination

Question 1 (10 percent of exam grade)

A. In the following four groups of three terms, which does NOT contain all terms that indicate an element of the project charter:

i. purpose, objectives, requirements

ii. stakeholders, resources, risks

iii. purpose, planning, execution

iv. milestones, resources, requirements

B. What phase of the project management framework is the most difficult? Why?

Question 2 (18 percent of exam grade)

A. What are the main characteristics of a project?

B. What are of the main differences between a functional manager and a project manager?

C. Why might an information technology project be more difficult than other projects?

Question 3 (24 percent of exam grade)

A. Provide a list of four terms, phrases, or questions that describe characteristics of project initiation.

B. Provide a list of four terms, phrases, or questions that describe characteristics of project planning.

C. Provide a list of four terms, phrases, or questions that describe characteristics of project execution.

Question 4 (24 percent of exam grade)

A. Compare and contrast the work breakdown structure document with the requirements document.

B. Which document would you use to determine what needs to be done in the project? Why?

C. Which document would you use to determine the schedule for the project? Why?

Question 5 (24 percent of exam grade)

A. Why is the use of work breakdown structure more important in large projects than in small projects?  Select and briefly explain the following phrases that apply:

i. increased cost

ii. more tasks

iii. longer schedule

iv. more people

v. increased complexity

vi. improved performance

B. Name three primary responsibilities required of the project stakeholders.

C. Name three primary disadvantages of using the project management framework.

Bonus extra credit

Using Microsoft Project or other similar software create a GANTT chart for a hypothetical project that involves at least 7 tasks, and two milestones.  In your posting, include enough support material to describe the project, each of the tasks, and to identify the critical path.  Be sure to include linkages between tasks other than finish-to-start.  (If you absolutely cannot get MS Project to work, you can use another tool to produce your Gantt chart but I would prefer to see it in MS Project.)  Create your own Main Topic using your name.  Provide supporting documentation in the text box, and a copy of your MS Project or other type of file printed as a pdf so all can read. Provide feedback to the charts of your classmates.

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