Doubts of PMP questions

Hi,

I have couple of doubts in few of the sample questions on PMP. Would be great if you all can pour in your opinions with "explanations".  I am appearing for 4th edition in Sep'09.

Q1. WHich of the below acivity has max. slack/float?

A  LS=0   ES=10
B  LS=39  ES=31
C  LS=6   ES=0
D  LS=2   ES=0
 
Doubt: In option A, LS-ES= -10 and in B, its 39-31=8. My doubt is whether to ignore (-) in option A or B is correct option?

Q2. The process of dividing  project into small manageable deleverables
A.WBS,
B.Decomposition,
C.Subproject
D. WBS dictionary

My doubt: Is WBS the answer or Decomposition? Confused between 2...

 

thx

Swati

Q 1 - I think we cannot ignore -ve sign and answer should be B, though I am not sure, may be others can also contribute.

q 2 - is decomposition, as its asking process. WBS is not a process, its hierarchical structure.

Hello Swati,

Q1. WHich of the below acivity has max. slack/float?

A  LS=0   ES=10
B  LS=39  ES=31
C  LS=6   ES=0
D  LS=2   ES=0
 
Doubt: In option A, LS-ES= -10 and in B, its 39-31=8. My doubt is whether to ignore (-) in option A or B is correct option?

The ans for this quest is B. U should not ignore -ve value

 

Q2. The process of dividing  project into small manageable deleverables
A.WBS,
B.Decomposition,
C.Subproject
D. WBS dictionary

My doubt: Is WBS the answer or Decomposition? Confused between 2...

 

Ans for this question is WBS. If you refer to PMBOK, it clearly states that WBS divides the work/ project into small, manageable components for the purpose of planning, executing and monitoring.

 

Decomposition is further division of the deliverables into work packages (which are the lowest level components).

Hope this resolve the confusion.

 

Thanks!

 

~Priya

 

 

 

Priya, I really dont care how its written and how its understood, answer, in my opinion should be decomposition, may be you can ask others...... Rest is ur  wish. WBS is not a process, if you know how they try to confuse you, this is the way they want you to be confused. Please read PMBOK glossary and you will know the answer yourself.

As per PMBOK, Decomposition is a Techniquie and not a process  where as WBS is a process (5.3 PMBOK 4th Edition).  My answer is WBS.  Others, Please comment... Thanks.

Ramu,

As per my opinion, its Decomposition. I am giving here definitions of both Decomposition and WBS as per PMBOK thrid addition, glossary

Decomposition: A planning technique that subdivides the project scope and project deliverables into smaller more manageable components.

WBS: A deliverable oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to create the required deliverables.

My comments:

1) - WBS is an input output, not a process.please check/verify your assumptions.And please dont confuse process with 44 processes in project management. I

2) - Create WBS is one of 44 management processes, if it had been Create WBS, thats a process, as per PMBOK 3, and I would have agreed to you.

3) - even the definition of WBS uses the the term decomposition. What more I can say.

4) - I dont want to brag here. I am a PMP and I got proficient grade specially in Planning process group. So from whatever knowledge I have gained while preparing, it should be decomposition.

But overall let me say, I might be wrong, but if i were given choice, I would choose decomposition.  Another thing, I want to add here is that I have studied PMBOK 3, if there is some addition in pmbok 4 that says otherwise, then I am not sure.

As Ramu said, Rest is upto all others to decide, see the definition which I have mentioned here,  specially PMPs, please contribute.

And I apologize if I have guided someone wrongly unintentionally. 

Puneet

 

 

 

I apologize  

 

Here's the thing,

 

Decomposition: A planning technique that subdivides the project scope and project deliverables into smaller more manageable components.

WBS: A deliverable oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to create the required deliverables.

 

 

Please read the definition properly.... Ramu is right Decomposition is a technique, and decomposition divides the deliverables not the project... and WBS is a tool to subdividing the project scope/ task into a hierarchical structure using the technique called DECOMPOSITION(which is one of the technique in Creating a WBS process). 

Thanks!!

 

Priya

No problem Ramu and Priya, I told you whatever I knew and whatever I feel right.

Opinions do differ, trust your gut and go ahead. My only suggestion is please discuss it with 2 or 3 persons who have already cleared PMP. Rest is your wish.

Thanks Puneet, Surely I will discuss this questions with my other friends who are PMP and those who are aspirants (Coz PMP's may not always be right ;))

 

Thanks for your time.

 

~Priya

In scope management, project deliverables are subdivided into smaller and more manageable components until the work and deliverables are defined to the work package level. This is called as decomposition.

Thanks!

Priya

I am sorry Priya, as I mentioned its your exam, you have to clear it, and I am not going to argue on a trivial thing.I am not going to answer now. Opinions do differ, please go ahead with whatever you think.

FYI, I have already cleared my PMP on June 23rd.

 

 

Thanks!

I am sorry Priya, as I mentioned its your exam, you have to clear it, and I am not going to argue on a trivial thing.I am not going to answer now. Opinions do differ, please go ahead with whatever you think.

Swati, 

I got the exact same question during my PMP test on July 10, 2009 and I had answered Option A.  Float is always LS-ES or LF-ES. The trick is whether it can be -ve. RMC (Rita Mulcahy) says it can be -ve (Pg 159)  "Critical path activities that are delayed or have dictated dates can result in negative float". That settles the question.

Hope this helps.

-Niloy Sengupta

Thanks Niloy!!!! What is your option for Q 2 ?

Njoy,

I also got the same question and I chose B. I was also confused with choice A and B. After careful thinking, I think your logic seems good and it should be choice A, but lets ask 2 3 other PMPs also, just to make sure.

Again, I got this question on July 10, and I had answered Decomposition. It is really tricky b/w WBS and Decomposition , but here's my reasoning. The process is called Create WBS, and not WBS itself--so WBS is the output of this process. Also, WBS can always serve as an input/output,  but never as a TT. So I chose Decomposition which is a TT.

Again, I wouldn't know whether it was right or wrong, but I got a Proficient score in this area,  so I'm guessing I didn't miss many questions in the Planning Process Group.

 

Thanks for your answer buddy. That is what I asked them, ask 3 - 4 PMPs who got proficient in actual PMP in planning process group.

 That is what I was trying to explain them, and as you said, had it been create WBS, we should have chosen Create WBS, but Priya didnt agree, so I left it. I also got proficient in Planning, so hope i didnt get many wrong in this.

 

Which website did U get these questions from?


 


Q1. WHich of the below acivity has max. slack/float?


A  LS=0   ES=10
B  LS=39  ES=31
C  LS=6   ES=0
D  LS=2   ES=0
 

 


Question # 2 answer is A (WBS)


Question # 1 answer is B (Float 8)


 

for people studying for the PMP exams these types of questions put a dampen on our sprits as the exam questions are very tricky

The PMP Guru's picture

Hi Everyone,

I just follow this thread and scroll from top till this last message by dinduboy. Some of the answers and Explanations were awesome. Thumbs up.

Here is the explanation:

In my country Pakistan and in sub-continent people take Tea (CHAI) alot. So I will use this example and I hope I would be able to clarify this mystery that has been going since long.

But discussions are very useful and promote the ability to dig more.

OK:

The Tea Leaves are by themselves of no use until they are boiled in order to make Tea.

So Boiling is What: A Process

What Cause Boiling: Heat

So Heat is What: Tool.

Now the Question Says:

The process (Leave the Rest of the Q ?)of dividing  project into small manageable deleverables.

So we all know:

Decomposition is a Process.

WBS is a TOOL.
I agree WBS is an Input/Output in the PMBOK4 guide but it's a Tool as well.

I hope it's clear now.

Sources:
PMBOK4
Practice Standard WBS based on PMBOK3
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_breakdown_structure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decomposition



Kind regards,

The PMP Guru

http://thepmpguru.wordpress.com

 

 

Just refer to PMBOK 4th edition page no. 452, defination of WBS which says it is input / output. It is not the tool or technique or not the process. WBS is also not process becasue process is "create WBS". So the process here is Decomposition which gives output as WBS.


I am again saying to all of them who wrote WBS is tool, it is not tool, it is just out put of decpmposition.


Pradeep Sodha, PMP.

Just refer to PMBOK 4th edition page no. 452, defination of WBS which says it is input / output. It is not the tool or technique or not the process. WBS is also not process becasue process is "create WBS". So the process here is Decomposition which gives output as WBS.


I am again saying to all of them who wrote WBS is tool, it is not tool, it is just out put of decpmposition.


Pradeep Sodha, PMP.

The PMP Guru's picture

@pradeepsodha,

I disagree with you.

If you are a PMI Member, Plase download : Practice Standard WBS based on PMBOK3

It mention's besides:

WBS as an Input/Output, A Tool as well.

WBS is not a Process.

Please also refer to the Wikipedia Definitions as well:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_breakdown_structure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decomposition

 

Kind regards,

The PMP Guru

http://thepmpguru.wordpress.com/

Dear PMP Guru,


For any dispute, PMBOK is final. PMBOK 4th edition says WBS is input / out put. It is not tool. So I go by PMBOK in case of contradictory statements. WBS is not process that I agree and that's what I mentioned in my post too.


Regards,


Pradeep Sodha, PMP

The PMP Guru's picture

I agree PMBOK and PMI always Win.

That's Why I mention to you the same PMI reference.

Practice Standard WBS 2nd ED. This is PMI book specifically on WBS.

Page 38: WBS is a Tool

hahahahhaha, PMI is so confusing Man....

Yes I also agree with you WBS is not a Process.

 

We are having such a healthy disagreement...