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Test Bank Project Management: Achieving Competitive Advantage 4th
Edition Pinto
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Project Management: Achieving Competitive Advantage, 4e Test Bank (Pinto)
Chapter 3 Project Selection and Portfolio Management
1) Souder's project screening criterion that indicates an effective model must reflect organization
objectives, including a firm's strategic goals and mission is called:
A) Realism.
B) Capability.
C) Comparability.
D) Ease of use.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
2) Souder's project screening criterion of realism addresses the question:
A) How many workers will the project need?
B) Will the project work as intended?
C) Who are the stakeholders?
D) How often should the project team meet?
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
3) A selection model that is broad enough to be applied to multiple projects has the benefit of:
A) Ease of use.
B) Comparability.
C) Capability.
D) Flexibility.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
2
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
3
4) A project screening criterion that allows the company to compare long-term versus short-term
projects, projects with different technologies, and projects with different commercial objectives
is:
A) Flexibility.
B) Ease of use.
C) Capability.
D) Realistic.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
5) If a model can be applied successfully by people in all areas and levels of an organization, it is
said to possess the trait of:
A) Capability.
B) Ease of use.
C) Flexibility.
D) Realism.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
6) An MBA redesign committee plans to spend a decade traveling the world to benchmark
graduate programs at other universities. Regardless of the screening model being used, it will
suffer from poor performance in the area of:
A) flexibility.
B) Capability.
C) Comparability.
D) Cost.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
4
7) Souder's model selection criterion that encourages ease of adaptation to changes in tax laws,
building codes, among others, is called:
A) Ease of use.
B) Cost.
C) Capability.
D) Flexibility.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
8) A writer estimates it will take three months to generate spiffy documents to accompany a
seminal work in operations management. He grossly underestimates the time required and misses
his deadline by two months. This estimate was:
A) Objective and accurate.
B) Subjective and accurate.
C) Objective and inaccurate.
D) Subjective and inaccurate.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
9) A wedding planner allows $10,000 for flowers and three weeks to receive all RSVPs back
from the list of 700 guests. Both estimates are correct within a fraction of a percent. We could
describe this factoid as:
A) Numeric and subjective.
B) Numeric and objective.
C) Non-numeric and subjective.
D) Non-numeric and objective.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
5
10) An internal operating issue in project screening and selection is:
A) Expected return on investment.
B) Change in physical environment.
C) Patent protection.
D) The chance that the firm's goodwill will suffer due to the quality of the finished project.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
11) Quality risk refers to the chance that:
A) The project relies on developing new or untested technologies.
B) The firm's reputation may suffer when the product becomes available.
C) The well-being of the users or developers may decline dramatically.
D) The firm may face a lawsuit.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
12) One facet of risk in project screening is:
A) The change in manufacturing operations resulting from the project.
B) The initial cash outlay.
C) The potential for lawsuits or legal obligation.
D) The strategic fit of the project with the company.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
13) One project factor that directly impacts a firm's internal operations is the:
A) Expected return on investment.
B) Financial risk.
C) Need to develop employees.
D) Impact on company's image.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
6
14) A commercial factor in project selection and screening might be:
A) A need to develop employees.
B) The likelihood that users of the project are injured.
C) The long-term market dominance.
D) The impact on the company's image.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
15) Which statement regarding project selection is BEST?
A) Organizational reality can be perfectly captured by most decision-making models.
B) Before selecting any project, the team should identify all the relevant issues that play a role in
project selection.
C) Decision models must contain either objective or subjective factors.
D) Every decision model has both objective and subjective factors.
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
16) Which statement regarding project selection and screening criteria is BEST?
A) The most complete model in the world is still only a partial reflection of organization reality.
B) It is possible, given enough time and effort, to identify all relevant issues that play a role in
project selection.
C) Decision models are either objective or subjective.
D) For many projects, more than 80% of the decision criteria are vital.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
17) An effective project selection model must reflect organizational objectives, including a firm's
strategic goals and mission.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
18) An expert's opinion on an issue may be subjective but very accurate.
7
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
19) Numeric project selection models, by their very nature, employ objective values.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
20) Every decision model contains both objective and subjective factors.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
21) Describe or define any four important attributes for screening models used to evaluate
projects.
Answer: Souder identifies five important issues that managers should consider when evaluating
screening models: realism, capability, flexibility, ease of use, and cost, and the text offers up
comparability. Taking these in reverse order, comparability refers to the ability of the criterion to
be applied to multiple projects without bias. Cost can be defined as the expense in either time or
money (or both) that is required to use the model. Ease of use calls for the model to be simple
enough to be used by people in all areas of the organization, both in specific project roles and in
those related to functional positions. Flexibility is the quality of ease of modification if trial
applications require changes. Capability is the ability of the model to respond to changes in the
conditions under which projects are carried out. Finally, realism is the ability of the model to
reflect organizational objectives, including a firm's strategic goals and mission.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
8
22) Provide an example of a numeric and non-numeric project selection model and indicate what
advantage each might hold over the other.
Answer: Project selection models come in two general classes: numeric and non-numeric.
Numeric models seek to use numbers for the decision process involved in selecting projects.
These values can either be derived objectively or subjectively. Non-numeric models do not
employ numbers at decision inputs, relying instead on other data. Each technique has its own
merits and may be employed successfully, and a choice between the two should be tempered by
the adage GIGO. If a numeric model uses objective, external values that are "correct," then a
decision maker can have a high degree of confidence that the values under study will lead to a
reasonable decision. A non-numeric model might appeal to decision makers that have less of a
quantitative bent or those that operate in a less quantifiable decision arena.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
23) Describe any four types of risk that projects may hold.
Answer: Risk factors reflect elements of unpredictability for the firm. Technical risks occur due
to the development of new or untested technologies. Financial risks arise from the financial
exposure caused by investing in the project. Safety risk may arise as the well-being of users or
developers of the project is compromised. Any risks to the firm's goodwill or reputation due to
the quality of the completed project are termed quality risks. Finally, the potential for lawsuits or
legal obligation is legal exposure.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.1 Project Selection
LO: 3.1: Explain six criteria for a useful project selection/screen model.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
24) A checklist screening model does NOT consider:
A) Whether one criterion is more important than another.
B) Governmental or stakeholder interference.
C) Product durability and future market potential of the product line.
D) The riskiness of the new venture.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
9
25) A simple scoring model for project evaluation requires:
A) Importance weights from 1 to 10 assigned to each criterion.
B) Score values assigned to each criterion in terms of its rating.
C) A division of weights by scores to arrive at a standardized score for each criterion.
D) A summation for each criterion to achieve an overall criterion score.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
26) The simple scoring model has this advantage over a checklist model for screening projects.
A) Scaling from 1 to 5 is extremely accurate.
B) Scaling models ensure a reasonable link between the selected and weighted criteria and the
business objectives that motivated their selection.
C) Scaling models allow decision makers to treat one criterion as more important than another.
D) Scaling models have been proven to make correct decisions better than 95% of the time while
checklists only achieve 80% accuracy.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
10
27) A project manager is using a simple scoring model to decide which of four projects is best,
given the company's limited resources. The criteria, importance weights, and scores for each are
shown in the table. Which project should be chosen?
Project Criteria
Importance
Weight Score
1 1 3
Greenlight 2 2 2
3 3 1
1 1 2
Runway 2 2 1
3 3 3
1 1 1
X 2 2 2
3 3 2
1 1 2
Ilevomit 2 2 2
3 3 2
A) Project Greenlight
B) Project Runway
C) Project X
D) Project Ilevomit
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
11
28) A project manager is using a simple scoring model to decide which of four projects is best,
given the company's limited resources. The criteria, importance weights, and scores for each are
shown in the table. Which project should be chosen?
Project Criteria
Importance
Weight Score
1 1 2
White 2 2 2
3 3 3
1 1 3
Pinkman 2 2 3
3 3 2
1 1 3
Fring 2 2 2
3 3 3
1 1 3
Salamanca 2 2 1
3 3 3
A) Project White
B) Project Pinkman
C) Project Fring
D) Project Salamanca
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
12
29) A simple scoring model is used to decide among three projects that we'll call A, B, and C.
The total score for project A is 30, for project B is 20, and for project C is 10. Which of the
following statements is BEST?
A) If project A is successfully completed, it will yield three times the benefits that project C
would have provided.
B) If project C is chosen, the company would benefit only half as much as if they had chosen
project B.
C) Project C is better than project B for this company at this point in time.
D) Project A is better than project B for this company at this point in time.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
30) The pairwise comparison approach:
A) Is a method to split the weights assigned to subcriteria.
B) Is a method to compare pairs of hierarchies prior to any further analysis.
C) Is a means of achieving all project objectives within the allocated time frame.
D) May be used instead of AHP if time is limited.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
31) The simplest method of project screening and selection is developing a list of criteria that
pertain to the choice of projects and then applying them to alternatives.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
32) The checklist model of project screening has a mechanism to accommodate the differential
importance of relevant criteria.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
13
33) A simplified scoring model addresses all the weakness of a checklist model for project
screening.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
34) A simplified scoring model is used to determine that project Cow has a score of 38 and
project GiGi has a score of 30. Project Cow is therefore 26.7% better than project GiGi.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
35) How does a checklist project screening model work?
Answer: The simplest method of project screening and selection is developing a checklist of
criteria that pertain to a choice of projects and then applying them to the projects. Each potential
project is scored against the list of criteria and is rated as performing high, medium, or low with
the project scoring highest overall being selected as the project to undertake.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
14
36) Your university is considering two projects to increase enrollment: offering traditional
classes from midnight to 6 a.m. or offering house call classes where the professor would visit
your home to provide instruction. Use a simple scoring model with at least three criteria to
evaluate these two potential projects and indicate which project should be chosen.
Answer: Answers may vary widely. A simplified scoring model ranks criteria according to their
relative importance. Each project is evaluated for performance on each criterion and an overall
score for each project is computed by summing the products of each score times its weight. A
simple scoring model might be as follows with House Calls narrowly edging out Midnight
Classes.
Project Criteria & Weight Score
Weighted
Score
Total
Score
Midnight Classes Time 2 2 4
Cost 1 1 1
Market Potential 3 2 6 11
House Calls Time 2 3 6
Cost 1 3 3
Market Potential 3 1 3 12
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
37) What are the advantages and limitations of simple scoring models?
Answer: The simple scoring model has some useful advantages as a project selection device.
First, it is easy to tie to critical strategic goals for the company and second, it is easy to
comprehend and use. The major limitation of simple scoring models is that the scaling is not
very accurate and is often treated as if ratios and difference in scoring levels have real meaning.
Another drawback of these models is that they depend on the relevance of the selected criteria
and the accuracy of weight given them.
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.2: Understand how to employ checklists and simple scoring models to select projects.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
15
38) The first step in the Analytical Hierarchy Process:
A) Requires supporting requirements to be combined into Level II challenges.
B) Is analyzing the process you intend to improve before undertaking any improvement project.
C) Requires Saatyfication of the team members.
D) Consists of constructing a hierarchy of criteria and subcriteria.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.3: Use more sophisticated scoring models, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
39) Which statement about the Analytical Hierarchy Process is FALSE?
A) AHP scores are significant.
B) AHP can be used to capture choice options that do not yield positive outcomes.
C) AHP can improve the process of developing project proposals.
D) AHP groups subcriteria that share the weight of a common higher-level criterion.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.3: Use more sophisticated scoring models, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
40) The Analytic Hierarchy Process is being employed in a project selection decision. One major
criteria, cost, receives a weighting value of 40%, which is split into short term (50%),
intermediate term (30%), and long term (20%). Which of these statements is BEST?
A) Short term, intermediate term, and long term must receive overall weightings that total 100%.
B) There must be at least one other major criteria that has 40% weighting.
C) Intermediate-term cost receives a weighting of 12%.
D) Long-term cost receives an overall weighting of 80%.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.3: Use more sophisticated scoring models, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
16
41) The Analytical Hierarchy Process is used to decide among three projects that we'll call A, B,
and C. The total score for project A is .650, for project B is .514, and for project C is .321.
Which of the following statements is BEST?
A) Project A is twice as good as project C.
B) The analysis must be incorrect because the total scores should sum to 1.00.
C) The analysis must be incorrect because there are two total scores that exceed 0.50.
D) The analysis must be incorrect because project C's total score is odd.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.3: Use more sophisticated scoring models, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
42) The profile model plots a graph on a(n):
A) Perception-reality pair of axes.
B) Risk-return pair of axes.
C) Efficiency-effectiveness pair of axes.
D) Saxon-Norman pair of axes.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.3: Use more sophisticated scoring models, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
43) The Analytical Hierarchy Process elegantly addresses scaling issues in criteria and negative
utility in alternative scores.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.3: Use more sophisticated scoring models, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
17
44) How does the Analytical Hierarchy Process differ from a simple scoring model? Is it worth
the extra effort?
Answer: The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a four-step process that consists of
structuring the hierarchy of criteria, allocating weights to criteria, assigning numerical values to
evaluation dimensions, and evaluating project proposals. Primary differences between the two
approaches are that AHP takes a more rigorous view of the assignment of criteria weights and
values to the evaluation dimensions. Differences among evaluation scale items are not
necessarily equal and can be adjusted as managers and decision makers see fit. The resulting
product sums have meaning, unlike the values computed in a simple scoring model. AHP
methodology can dramatically improve the project selection process over use of the simple
scoring model. AHP is not without limitations and does require more effort to configure and use.
The authors caution against using a project screening tool that has a poor cost/benefit ratio, so
determination of the value derived from use of AHP versus a simple scoring model can best be
made on a case-by-case basis.
Diff: 3
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.3: Use more sophisticated scoring models, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
45) The efficient frontier in project management is the set of portfolio options that offer:
A) A minimum return for a minimum risk.
B) A minimum return for a maximum risk.
C) A maximum return for a minimum risk.
D) A maximum return for a maximum risk.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.4: Learn how to use financial concepts, such as the efficient frontier and risk/return
models.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
46) Which statement about the use of the profile model is BEST?
A) The profile model requires careful calculation of the percentage risk for each possible project.
B) The scale used for the profile model can be any two numerical variables that a company
deems important.
C) The efficient frontier in the profile model is where return is 100% (or greater) and risk is 0%.
D) For a given level of risk, a positive move on the return axes would indicate a superior project.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.4: Learn how to use financial concepts, such as the efficient frontier and risk/return
models.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
47) Between projects A and B, project A will be considered a superior financial undertaking if it
18
has:
A) A shorter payback period than project B.
B) A lower average rate of return than project B.
C) A lower net present value than project B.
D) A longer payback period than project B.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.4: Learn how to use financial concepts, such as the efficient frontier and risk/return
models.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
48) The efficient frontier in a profile model is the set of options that offers a maximum return for
a given level of risk or a minimum risk for every level of return.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.4: Learn how to use financial concepts, such as the efficient frontier and risk/return
models.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
49) The present value of money is lower the further out in the future I expect to spend it.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.4: Learn how to use financial concepts, such as the efficient frontier and risk/return
models.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
50) The reciprocal of the payback period is used to calculate the average rate of return for a
project.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.4: Learn how to use financial concepts, such as the efficient frontier and risk/return
models.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
19
51) Internal rate of return is preferable to net present value because IRR employs a weighted
average cost of capital discount rate that reflects potential reinvestment.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.4: Learn how to use financial concepts, such as the efficient frontier and risk/return
models.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
52) Describe the use of a profile model and sketch an example, clearly labeling every component
and the best alternative in your example.
Answer: Profile models allow managers to plot risk/return options for various alternatives and
then select the project that maximizes return while staying within a certain range of minimum
acceptable risk. The profile model makes use of a concept known as the efficient frontier—the
set of project portfolio options that offers either a maximum return for every given level of risk
or the minimum risk for every level of return. A profile model appears below.
Diff: 3
Section: 3.2 Approaches to Project Screening and Selection
LO: 3.4: Learn how to use financial concepts, such as the efficient frontier and risk/return
models.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
20
53) Net present value is being used to break the tie among four otherwise equal projects. If the
interest rate is 4%, which of these anticipated four-year flows would yield the greatest net
present value?
A) $10,000 in year 1; $11,000 in year 2; $12,000 in year 3; and $13,000 in year 4
B) $13,000 in year 1; $12,000 in year 2; $11,000 in year 3; and $10,000 in year 4
C) $10,000 in year 1; $10,000 in year 2; $13,000 in year 3; and $13,000 in year 4
D) $11,000 in year 1; $11,000 in year 2; $12,000 in year 3; and $12,000 in year 4
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
54) A company facing an interest rate of 8% must choose among projects offering the following
four-year cash flows. If the company is employing the net present value criterion, which project
should they choose?
A) $25,000 in year 1; $15,000 in year 2; $10,000 in year 3; and $5,000 in year 4
B) $5,000 in year 1; $5,000 in year 2; $20,000 in year 3; and $30,000 in year 4
C) $15,000 in year 1; $15,000 in year 2; $15,000 in year 3; and $15,000 in year 4
D) $5,000 in year 1; $5,000 in year 2; $25,000 in year 3; and $25,000 in year 4
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
55) Which of these statements about internal rate of return analysis is BEST?
A) If the IRR is less than the company's required rate of return, the project is worth funding.
B) Projects having lower IRR are generally superior to those having higher IRR.
C) IRR and NPV calculations always make the same investment recommendations.
D) If net outflows follow a period of net inflows, IRR may give conflicting results.
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
21
56) Which of these statements about valuation models is NOT correct?
A) NPV employs a weighted average cost of capital discount rate that reflects potential
reinvestment.
B) IRR and NPV calculations typically make the same investment recommendations only when
the projects are independent of each other.
C) If cash flows are not normal, IRR may arrive at multiple solutions.
D) IRR is a more robust determinant of project viability than NPV.
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
57) A project manager is using the internal rate of return method to make the final decision on
which project to undertake. Which of these four projects has the highest internal rate of return?
A) $25,000 initial outlay with $10,000 cash inflows during the following five years
B) $12,500 initial outlay with $10,000 cash inflows during the following five years
C) $25,000 initial outlay with $5,000 cash inflows during the following five years
D) $12,500 initial outlay with $5,000 cash inflows during the following five years
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
58) A project manager is using the internal rate of return method to make the final decision on
which project to undertake. Which of these four projects has the highest internal rate of return?
A) $100,000 initial outlay with $10,000 cash inflows during the first two years, $20,000 during
the third and fourth years, and $30,000 during the fifth year
B) $100,000 initial outlay with a $5,000 cash inflow during the first year, $15,000 cash inflow
during the second year, and $25,000 cash inflows during years three through five
C) $75,000 initial outlay with a $5,000 cash inflow during the first year, increasing by $5,000 per
year through the fifth year
D) $50,000 initial outlay with $5,000 cash inflows during the first two years, $15,000 during the
third and fourth years, and $20,000 during the fifth year
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
59) A project manager is using the net present value method to make the final decision on which
22
project to undertake. The company has a 12% required rate of return and expects a 3% rate of
inflation for the following four years. What is the NPV of a project that has cash flows as shown
in the table?
Year Cash Flow
0 -$250,000
1 $50,000
2 $60,000
3 $70,000
4 $80,000
A) -$9,762
B) -$56,859
C) -$69,387
D) -$98,780
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
60) A project manager is using the payback method to make the final decision on which project
to undertake. The company has a 10% required rate of return and expects a 4% rate of inflation
for the following four years. What is the non-discounted payback of a project that has cash flows
as shown in the table?
Year Cash Flow
0 -$250,000
1 $50,000
2 $60,000
3 $70,000
4 $80,000
A) 3.875 years
B) 3.625 years
C) 3.750 years
D) 3.500 years
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
23
61) A project manager is using the payback method to make the final decision on which project
to undertake. The company has a 10% required rate of return and expects a 4% rate of inflation
for the following five years. What is the discounted payback of a project that has cash flows as
shown in the table?
Year Cash Flow
0 -$100,000
1 $20,000
2 $50,000
3 $50,000
4 $25,000
5 $500,000
A) 3.4 years
B) 2.6 years
C) 5.0 years
D) 4.2 years
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
62) A project manager is using the net present value method to make the final decision on which
project to undertake. The company has a 15% required rate of return and expects a 5% rate of
inflation for the following four years. What is the NPV of a project that has cash flows as shown
in the table?
Year Cash Flow
0 -$350,000
1 $50,000
2 $80,000
3 $100,000
4 $150,000
A) $4.955
B) $42,586
C) -$23,667
D) -$122,569
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
63) A project manager is using the payback method to make the final decision on which project
24
to undertake. The company has a 10% required rate of return and expects a 4% rate of inflation
for the following five years. What is the non-discounted payback of a project that has cash flows
as shown in the table?
Year Cash Flow
0 -$500,000
1 $50,000
2 $75,000
3 $150,000
4 $150,000
5 $750,000
A) 3.7 years
B) 4.1 years
C) 5.0 years
D) 4.8 years
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
64) A project manager is using the payback method to make the final decision on which project
to undertake. The company has a 15% required rate of return and expects a 5% rate of inflation
for the following five years. What is the discounted payback of a project that has cash flows as
shown in the table?
Year Cash Flow
0 -$500,000
1 $50,000
2 $75,000
3 $150,000
4 $150,000
5 $750,000
A) 3.9 years
B) 4.3 years
C) 4.6 years
D) 4.1 years
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
65) Options models are used to assist in project selection decisions:
25
A) When IRR calculations are favorable but NPV calculations are unfavorable.
B) When a company may not recover the money it invests in a project.
C) When NPV calculations are favorable but IRR calculations are unfavorable.
D) When a company is guaranteed to recover the money it invests in a project.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
66) Regardless of which selection method a firm uses, it should always:
A) Be able to predict how much revenue will be returned to the firm each year.
B) Know which project will ultimately succeed and which ones will fail.
C) Be objective in their selection method.
D) Use a weighted scoring technique.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
67) An options model could be used when financial criteria would change significantly over
time.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
68) The most important thing to remember when using project selection models is to be
consistent and objective.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
26
69) What is the time value of money principle and how does it apply to project selection?
Answer: The time value of money principle suggests that money earned today is worth more
than money expected in the future. Future money is expected to be worth less for two reasons: 1)
the impact of inflation, and 2) the inability to invest the money. The time value of money
principle may be applied to project selection as one criterion to ascertain which project will
generate the greatest return on a company's investment. Projects that have a relatively certain
return of greater sums of money would be preferred over projects that stand a chance of returning
less money in today's dollars.
Diff: 1
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
70) How can a payback period approach be used to evaluate potential projects?
Answer: The project payback period approach estimates the amount of time that will be
necessary to recoup the investment in a project; that is, how long will it take the project to pay
back its initial budget and begin to generate positive cash flow for the company. The discounted
cash flow method is used to estimate cash outlays and inflows resulting from investment in a
project, and these positive and negative flows are compared using the ratio:
Payback Period =
Shorter paybacks are preferable to longer paybacks.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
71) What is an internal rate of return and what advantages and disadvantages are accrued by
using it to evaluate projects?
Answer: Internal rate of return (IRR) is a method of evaluating the expected outlays and income
associated with a new project investment opportunity. IRR is the discount rate that equates the
present values of a project's revenue and expense streams. If IRR is greater than or equal to the
company's required rate of return, the project is worth funding. The advantage of using IRR
analysis is its ability to compare alternative projects from the perspective of expected return on
investment. IRR suffers from difficulty in conflicting solutions if cash flows are not normal, e.g.,
if net outflows follow a period of net cash inflows. IRR is not the rate of return for a project.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
72) Inatech is contemplating two different projects and decides to perform a financial analysis to
27
determine which is more financially lucrative. Project A and B have the cash flows as shown and
Inatech uses a required rate of return of 10% and an inflation rate of 4%. Compute the payback
in years and the net present value for both projects and offer advice as to the best course of
action.
Year A B
0 -$250,000 -$400,000
1 $75,000 $125,000
2 $155,000 $230,000
3 $200,000 $288,000
4 $175,000 $265,000
5 $160,000 $225,000
Answer:
Year A
Cumulativ
e A Discount NPV A B
Cumulativ
e B NPV B
0
-
$250,000 -$250,000 1.000
-
$250,000
-
$400,000 -$400,000
-
$400,000
1 $75,000 -$175,000 0.877 $65,789 $125,000 -$275,000 $109,649
2 $155,000 -$20,000 0.769 $119,267 $230,000 -$45,000 $176,978
3 $200,000 $180,000 0.675 $134,994 $288,000 $243,000 $194,392
4 $175,000 $355,000 0.592 $103,614 $265,000 $508,000 $156,901
5 $160,000 $515,000 0.519 $83,099 $225,000 $733,000 $116,858
The NPV for project A is $256,764 and the NPV for project B is higher at $354,778. Project A
has a longer discounted payback, 3.3 years, compared to project B's payback of 3.2 years. The
best course of action based solely on financial considerations is to opt for project B if only one
can be implemented.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
28
73) Inatech is contemplating two different projects and decides to perform a financial analysis to
determine which is more financially lucrative. Project A and B have the cash flows as shown and
Inatech uses a required rate of return of 8%. Compute the internal rate of return for both projects
to determine which is worth of funding.
Year A B
0 -$500,000 -$400,000
1 $260,000 $200,000
2 $170,000 $100,000
3 $125,000 $100,000
4 $75,000 $50,000
5 $25,000 $25,000
Answer: Project A has an IRR of 1.85%. The net present value table based on this percentage is
as follows:
Year A Discount NPV
0 -$500,000 1 -$500,000
1 $260,000 0.893 $232,143
2 $170,000 0.797 $135,523
3 $125,000 0.712 $89,973
4 $75,000 0.636 $47,664
5 $25,000 0.567 $14,186
Project B has an IRR of 1.91%. The net present value table based on this percentage is:
Year B Discount NPV
0 -$400,000 1 -$400,000
1 $200,000 0.893 $178,571
2 $100,000 0.797 $119,579
3 $100,000 0.712 $71,178
4 $50,000 0.636 $31,776
5 $25,000 0.567 $14,186
Both projects fall short of the hurdle rate of 8%, so Inatech should avoid both. The NPV for
project A is $18,488 and for project B is $15,290.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
29
74) What are options models and when should they be used to evaluate projects? Provide an
example.
Answer: Options models open financial analysis to consider a greater range of alternatives to
immediate investment. Organizations can factor the benefit of postponing decisions (and
projects) until financial models indicate projects are worth pursuing. Examples may vary, but
suppose firm A can wait until more market research is performed or until a supplier solves
quality and logistics issues. The cash flows may be superior to those that would come from
immediate investment if company A had to suffer through those issues with their supplier.
Because company A can wait a year, the project scores better on the NPV calculations, clearing
the company's predetermined financial hurdle and will just have to wait to begin rather than
being counted as too great a financial risk.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
75) What two simple rules should be followed when choosing a project selection approach?
Answer: First and foremost, objectivity and consistency in selection method is paramount.
Achieving both objectivity and consistency allows a firm to avoid the pitfall of tweaking results
and starting projects that are personal favorites but don't merit pursuit. Second, a wide variety of
selection methods may be appropriate for specific companies and project circumstances. As with
most things, over-reliance on one end of a scale, whether it is financial, quantitative, or any
other, is not the best approach. A broad algorithm that embraces both financial and non-financial
considerations is often best.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.3 Financial Models
LO: 3.5: Employ financial analyses and options analyses to evaluate the potential for new
project investments.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
76) The systematic process of selecting, supporting, and managing a firm's collection of projects
is called:
A) Heavyweight project management.
B) Matrix project organization.
C) Profile management.
D) Project portfolio management.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
77) The concept of project portfolio management holds that firms should:
30
A) Regard all projects as unified assets.
B) Manage projects as independent entities.
C) Focus on short-term strategic goals.
D) Focus on long-term constraints.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
78) A project with the chance for a big payout may be funded if an important criterion is:
A) Cost.
B) Opportunity.
C) Top management pressure.
D) Risk.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
79) A project that is exceptionally risky might still be undertaken by a firm if they have several
other projects underway that are considered more of a sure thing. This approach to project
selection is BEST described by the criterion called:
A) Strategic "fit."
B) Risk.
C) Desire for portfolio balance.
D) Top management pressure.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
31
80) Evaluating projects in terms of their strategic fit with existing project lines or their ability to
augment the current product family is known as:
A) Balance.
B) An open criterion.
C) Weighted criterion.
D) Complementarity.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
81) Realignment describes:
A) The change in a project portfolio with an addition of a new project.
B) The shifting of project resources from one to another.
C) The change in strategy for a firm.
D) The annual recasting of all project managers.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
82) A proactive project portfolio:
A) Is as simple as moving from one project opportunity to another project opportunity.
B) Is an integrated family of projects with a common strategic goal.
C) Is a collection of projects under the umbrella of single project manager carrying the title of
portfolio manager.
D) Is developed with respect to short-term operational concerns.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
32
83) If an organization that currently is managing a vast and well-balanced portfolio of projects
decides on a new strategic direction, it will initially face the problem of:
A) Scarce resources.
B) A conservative technical community.
C) Out-of-sync projects and portfolios.
D) Unpromising projects.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
84) A principal cause of portfolio underperformance is:
A) Conservative technical communities.
B) Government intervention.
C) Out-of-sync projects.
D) Scarce resources.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
85) Project portfolio management is typically NOT used to balance:
A) Human and technical resources.
B) Risk and return.
C) Efficiently run projects and nonperformers.
D) Various families of projects.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
33
86) Because projects managed under a project portfolio management scheme may be
independent of each other, it is not necessary to consider resource use when deciding to pursue
any single project.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
87) A balanced project portfolio may be interpreted to mean that a single portfolio contains both
high and low risk, low growth and high growth, and risky and safe projects.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
88) Successful project management firms rely on home runs and narrowly concentrated efforts
since specialization creates name recognition and market share.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
89) Personnel costs comprise one of the highest sources of project expense.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
34
90) If strategy and portfolio are not in sync, the firm is poised on the cusp of success.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
91) What is project portfolio management and what are its objectives and initiatives?
Answer: Project portfolio management is the systematic process of selecting, supporting and
managing a firm's collection of projects. Projects are managed concurrently under a single
umbrella and may be either related or independent of each other. Portfolio management entails
decision making, prioritization, review, realignment, and reprioritization of a firm's project.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
92) What criteria might be employed to prioritize projects in a project portfolio? Choose any
example project from recent business news and deduce which criteria were most important to the
company in question.
Answer: The criteria that are commonly used to prioritize projects include cost, opportunity, top
management pressure, risk, strategic fit, and desire for portfolio balance. Choice of criteria will
vary with example selected.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
35
93) Rank the problems in implementing portfolio management from largest to smallest and
justify your rankings.
Answer: Recent research seems to suggest that the following are among the most common
problems in effective portfolio management: conservative technical committees that are
beholden to favorite projects, methods or technologies that no longer fit the market or company's
strategic thrust; out-of-sync projects and portfolios that may contain worthwhile projects but
these projects won't take the company in the direction it is currently targeted; unpromising
projects that won't improve a company's operations or revenues; and scarce resources such as
human labor, cash, and raw materials. Of these, the text suggests that scarce resources may be
the most pernicious problem, although answers will vary in students' rankings.
Diff: 3
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.6: Recognize the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an
organization.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
94) Which of these is NOT a factor in successful project portfolio management?
A) Flexible structure and freedom of communication
B) Low-cost environmental setting
C) Emphasis on quality
D) Time-paced transition
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.7: Understand the three keys to successful project portfolio management.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
95) Multiple project environments thrive on:
A) Multi-layered bureaucracy.
B) Rigid development processes.
C) Narrow communication channels.
D) Improvisation by project teams.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.7: Understand the three keys to successful project portfolio management.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
36
96) A firm is BEST served if its project portfolio:
A) Has a number of low-cost experimental prototypes.
B) Devotes significant resources to hit product "home runs."
C) Aims to take the marketplace by storm regardless of future trends.
D) Represents narrowly concentrated efforts.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.7: Understand the three keys to successful project portfolio management.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
97) Successful firms use project portfolio planning routinely to:
A) Make quantum jumps from one product to another.
B) Develop products with long lead times and plan ahead.
C) Move as quickly as possible into new territory.
D) Move at glacial pace always within the same product line.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.7: Understand the three keys to successful project portfolio management.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
98) What are three keys to success for project portfolio management? Which is most important?
Answer: The author indicates that the keys to successful project portfolio management are:
flexible structure and freedom of communication; low-cost environmental scanning; and time-
paced transition. Answers may vary on the importance ranking. Some may argue that unfettered
experimentation is most important in achieving new project or product breakthroughs. Others
may tout continuous environmental scanning as a vehicle for quickly adapting a firm's project
portfolio and strategy to the changing market conditions. Finally, others may suggest that in both
project portfolio management and comedy, timing is everything. Having a stable of projects that
are time-phased to launch when others are nearing the end of their useful cycle and still others
are bearing maximum fruit will assure a firm of continued success.
Diff: 1
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.7: Understand the three keys to successful project portfolio management.
Classification: Factual
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
37
99) Choose any example from recent news media and explain why their project failed.
Answer: Examples will vary and may include product launches, public programs, building
projects, or any number of other projects.
Diff: 2
Section: 3.4 Project Portfolio Management
LO: 3.7: Understand the three keys to successful project portfolio management.
Classification: Application
AACSB: Application of Knowledge
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