Category: Project Management Questions

Project Management Interview Questions for freshers experienced :-

1. What is project management?
Applying knowledge, skills, tools, techniques in project and deliver project deliverables is a short definition of project management.It’s basically managing project time, cost and scope.

2. Is spending in IT projects constant through out the project?
Normally in initial stage of projects (requirement and design phase) the cost is very less (as you need maximum business analyst and architecture), but as the project proceeds cost factor starts increasing. The cost is maximum in coding phase (this is where you require programmers, project leads and project manager). Later when the project is in testing and acceptance phase cost is less as we will need only one or two programmers for removing bugs

3. Who is a stakeholder ?
A stakeholder is anyone who has something to gain or lose as a result of the completion or failure of this project or phase It’s not only the end customer the stakeholder. Project managers, Project Lead, even programmers, testing department etc. so be clear about the terminology.

4. Can you explain project life cycle ? or How many phases are there in software project ?

There are five stages of any project initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closeout. These are general phases and change according to domain. but During Software project management interview expected answer is requirement phase, design phase, coding phase, testing phase and project closure. .

5. Are risk constant through out the project ?
Risk is high at the start of projects, but by proper POC (Proof of concept) risk is brought in control.Good project managers always have proper risk mitigation plan at the start of project. As the project continues one by one risk is eliminated thus bringing down the risk. .

6. Can you explain different software development life cycles ?
SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) is overall process of developing information systems through multi stage process systems from investigation of initial requirements through analysis, design, implementation and maintenance. The days are gone when one COBOL programmer used to analyze, test and implement software systems. Systems have become complex, huge team members are involved, architects, analyst, programmers, testers, users etc. To manage this number of SDLC models have been created.

Following are popular models which are listed:-

• Waterfall Model.
• Spiral Model.
• Build and Fix model.
• Rapid prototyping Model.
• Incremental Model.
• This section we will go into depth of different SDLC models.
• Water Fall Model
• This is the oldest model. It has sequence of stages; output of one stage becomes input of other. Following are stages in Waterfall model:-

System Requirement: –

This is initial stage of the project where end user requirements are gathered and documented. System Design: – In this stage detail requirements, screen layout, business rules, process diagram, pseudo code and other documentations are prepared. This is first step in technical phase.

Implementation: –

Depending on the design document actual code is written here.

Integration and Testing: –

All pieces are brought together and tested. Bugs are removed in this phase.

Acceptance, Installation and Deployment: –

This is final stage where software is put in production and runs actual business.

Maintenance: –

This is least glamorous phase which runs forever. Code Changes, correction, addition etc are done in this phase. Waterfall is suited for low risk in areas of User Interface and performance requirements, but high risk in budget and schedule predictability and control. Waterfall assumes that all requirements can be specified in advance. But unfortunately requirement grows and changes through various stages, so it needs feedback from one stage to other.

Spiral Model

Spiral Model removes the drawback of waterfall model, by providing emphasis to go back and reiterate earlier stages a number of times as project progresses. On broader level it’s a series of short waterfall cycles, each producing an early prototype representing a part of entire project. It also helps demonstrate a Proof of Concept at early software life cycle.

Build and Fix Model

This is the way free-lancers work Write some code and keep modifying it until the customer is happy. This approach can be quite dangerous and risky.

Rapid Prototyping Model

This model is also called as Rapid Application Development. The initial emphasis is on creating prototype that look and acts like the desired product. Prototype can be created by using tools which is different from those used for final product. Once the prototype is approved, its discarded and real software development is started from scratch. The problem with this model is that sometimes the prototype moves ahead to become the final live product which can be bad from design point of view. It’s a effective model but can have higher costing than other models as you require programmers during the initial phase of the software cycle.

Incremental Model

In this model we divide products into builds, where section of product are created and tested separately. Here errors are found in requirement phase itself, user feedback is taken for each stage and code is tested after it is written.

7. What is triple constraint triangle in project management ?

Project Management triangle is depicted as Cost, Schedule and scope.These three aspects form the sides of triangle and the customer is the center point.As customer is always concerned about Cost,Scope and Schedule, so in order to get customer satisfaction project manager should deliver all scope in propose schedule and cost. If we want to disturb any one of the legs then the other two legs get affected. Example if customer increases the scope then other two sides of the triangle also get affected a lot.

8. What is a project baselines ?
It defines a logical closure of any deliverable or cycle. Example you have completed the requirement phase with sign off from the client on the requirement document.So you put a baseline and say that further any changes to this document are change request. Versioning of source code is one type of baseline.

9. What is effort variance?
Effort Variance = (Actual effort – Estimated Effort) / Estimated Effort.

10. How is normally a project management plan document organized ?
project management plan (PMP) document forms the bible of a project. It has normally these sections :-

1. Project summary
2. Project organization hierarchy
3. WBS / Activity list to be performed with schedule.
4. Work product identification (In short who will do what)
5. Project schedule( GANNT chart or PERT chart).
6. Estimated Cost and completion.
7. Project requirements.
8. Risk identification.
9. Configuration management section.
10. Quality section.
11. Action Item status.

11. How do you estimate a project?
There are many techniques available for estimating a project:-

• Function points
• Use Case points
• WBS

12. What is CAR (Causal Analysis and Resolution)?
The basic purpose of CAR is to analyze all defects, problems and good practices/positive triggers in projects, perform a root cause analysis of the same, identify respective corrective and preventive actions and track these to closure. The advantage of CAR is that root causes are scientifically identified and their corrective and preventive actions are carried out. CAR needs to be performed at project initiation, all phase and project ends and on a monthly basis. Fishbone diagram is one of the ways you can do CAR.

13. What is DAR (Decision Analysis and Resolution) ?

Decision Analysis and Resolution is to analyze possible decisions using a formal evaluation process that identifies alternatives against established criteria. Example in a project you are said to use third party tools so you will not depend on only one tool but evaluate three to four more tools so that in case of problems you have alternatives. This is called as DAR

14. What is a fish bone diagram ? What is Ishikawa diagram ?
Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa, invented the fishbone diagram. Therefore, it can be also referred as Ishikawa diagram. Fishbone diagram is an analysis diagram which provides a systematic way of looking at effects and the causes that create or contribute to those effects. Because of the function of the fishbone diagram, it may be referred to as a cause-and-effect diagram. The design of the diagram looks much like the skeleton of a fish. Therefore, it is often referred to as the fishbone diagram.

Fishbone diagram helps in categorizing potential causes of problems or issues in an orderly way and in identifying root causes.

15. What is pareto principle ? What is 80/20 principle ?
Pareto principle also paraphrased as 80/20 principle is simple effective problem tackling way in management. It says that 20% of your problems lead to other 80 % of problems. So rather than concentrating on the 80% of problem if you concentrate on 20% of problems you can save lot of trouble. So in pareto you analyze the problems and only concentrate on 20% of your vital problems. In projects the first 10% and the last 10% of project form the vital part of project.

16. How do you handle change request ?
Normally change request are handled by preparing an Impact analysis document and then doing re-estimation. Example you have an on going project, which has a customer table. Now customer want to also have addresses assigned to it. So you normally raise a change request and then do an impact analysis of the same. Depending on the impact you estimate and let know the client about the financial aspect of the project. Once client sign off or the upper management agrees to the change request you move ahead with implementation.

17. What is internal change request?
Internal change request are not normally billable change request, it has no financial gains from the client. Example your architecture division of your company has said in mid of the project that the architecture has to be modified. Definitely this has nothing to do with the client, but you make changes to it this is called as Internal change request.

18. What is difference between SITP and UTP in testing ?

UTP (Unit Test Plan) are done at smallest unit level or stand alone mode. Example you have Customer and invoicing module. So you will do test on Customer and Invoice module independently. But later when we want test both customer and invoice in one set we integrate them and test it. So that’s is SITP (System Integration Test Plan) UTP can be done using NUNIT. Unit testing is done normally by developers and System testing is done normally by testing department in integration mode.

19. What is the software you have used for project management?
Many companies have there own software defined. There are many project management software available at this moment in market but this can vary from company to company , worst it can very from project to project. But Microsoft project is the most used software at this moment.So just brush your skills on Microsoft project , its used heavily across industry.

20. What are the metrics followed in project management? What metrics will you look at in order to see the project is moving successfully?
Most metric sets deal with a variation of these attributes and are chosen to help project managers gain insight into their product (size, software quality, rework), process (rework, software quality) and project (effort, schedule).

But below is a broader classification :-

Project Management Metrics

milestone metrics

number of milestones number of proved requirements per milestone controlling level metrics

risk metrics

probability of resources availability probability of the requirements validity risk indicators (long schedules, inadequate cost estimating, excessive paperwork, error-prone modules, canceled projects, excessive schedule pressure, low quality, cost overruns, creeping user requirements, excessive time to market, unused or unusable software, unanticipated acceptance criteria, hidden errors) application risk metrics

workflow metrics

walkthrough metrics traceability metrics variance metrics

controlling metrics

size of control elements structure of control elements documentation level tool application level

management database metrics

data quality metrics management data complexity data handling level (performance metrics) visualization level safety and security metrics.

Project Management Questions and Answers Pdf Download

Q1. What Is Project Plan?

• The project plan is the fundamental document directing all activities in pursuit of the desired objective.
• The plan may change as time passes, but nevertheless, it represents the project manager’s continuing view on what needs to be done by whom and when.

Q2. What Is Triple Constraint Triangle In Project Management?

It is the balance of the project’s scope, schedule and cost. It is also called as Dempster’s triangle.

Q3. Does Each Project Have To Create Its Own Management System?

The style of the individual project manager will normally vary for each project. It is the responsibility of senior management to put in place a policy and procedure, supported by a selection of project management tools and formats, which will assure that the status reporting is readable, auditable, and valid.

Q4. Is It Still Worthwhile To Do Risk Management When A Project Is Half Over?

Yes, there are still risks associated with a project even if it is half over. This also forms a baseline for the remainder of the project.

Q5. What Is Pareto Principle?

Pareto Principle is also known as 80/20 principle. It is a management tool to track problem tracking effectively. This principle says that 20% of the problems lead to 80% of other problems. Hence, in order to concentrating on solving 80% of the problems rather, one can concentrate to solve 20 % of the problems which saves lot of troubles. The analysis and concentration is done for only 20% of the vital problems. In a project the vital problems are the first 10% and the last 10% .

Q6. What Is System Testing?

System testing is done to see if the system delivers the required features, functional and non-functional requirements & outputs. It doesn’t check each component individually but the whole system is checked as one entity. It is done at developers end. The testing for non-functional requirements includes:

• Performance Testing.
• Volume Testing.
• Stress Testing.
• Documentation Testing.
• Robustness Testing.

Q7. What Is A Fish Bone Diagram?

Fishbone diagrams also called as Ishikawa diagrams (or cause-and-effect diagrams) show the reasons behind a certain event. In project management, this tool is used in Quality Management & Risk Management processes.

Q8. What Are The Functions Of Project Management Tool?

Following are some functions of Project Management tool:

• Task management.
•  File storage.
•  Reporting functions.
•  Commenting and message boards.
•  Client access.
•  Subcontractor task assignment.
•  Time tracking.

Q9. How To Identify Project Risks?

Risk identification in the Project Management is often done by using brainstorming sessions to identify and clarify the main risks that may work against the project achieving its stated outcomes. It is important to clearly define the scope of the project so that the identification of risks can remain focused upon what potentially threatens the achievement of outcomes, delivery of outputs, level of resourcing, time, cost and quality.

Q10. What Is The Difference Between A Risk And An Issue In The Context Of Project Management?

An issue is a problem or concern that may impede the progress of the project if not addressed.
A risk is any factor (or threat) that may adversely affect the successful completion of the project in terms of achievement of its outcomes, delivery of its outputs or adverse effects upon resourcing, time, cost and quality.

Q11. Who Forms The Part Of Six Sigma Implementation Team?

Attaining Six Sigma is a team effort. An organization who wants to attain Six Sigma needs a lot of restructuring and change in attitude. It includes building up the following roles to take up the required responsibilities:

1. Executive Leadership-Includes CEO and other top management team members. They set up the vision of Six Sigma and empower their team mates with the freedom and resources required for the improvements in the process.
2. Champions– Responsible for the implementation of the process in an integrated manner throughout the organization. They come from Top management.
3. Master Black Belts-Act as in-house expert coach for the organization. They assist Champions and train Black Belts and Green Belts.
4. Black Belts-Apply Six Sigma methodology to specific projects. Their focus is on execution of activities for Six Sigma.
5. Green Belts-These are like the soldiers on the war front who actually implement the planned action.

Q12. What Is Dmaic And Dmadv?

• DMAIC is a series of steps used to measure defects in business processes and improve profitability. The five steps are: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.
• DMADV – This is also a series of steps to measure and analyze the defects and produce better. The steps here are: Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Verify.

Q13. What Is The Purpose Of Project Management?

To provide management with valid, auditable status on which to base management decisions.

Q14. What Are The Benefits Of Risk Management In The Context Of Project Management?

The benefit of risk management is to increase the likelihood that the project will be completed successfully by ensuring levels of risk and uncertainty in the project is properly managed. It enables those involved to identify possible risks, the manner in which they can be contained and the likely cost of mitigation strategies.

Q15. What Is 80/20 Principle?

• 80/20 principle is also called as Pareto’s principle.
• It believes that 20% os tasks consume 80% energy for e.g. – 20% tasks in development consume 80% time, 20% of project personnel perform 80% task etc.

Q16. What Is A Project Baselines ?

It defines a logical closure of any deliverable or cycle. Example you have completed the requirement phase with sign off from the client on the requirement document. So you put a baseline and say that further any changes to this document are change request. Versioning of source code is one type of baseline.

Q17. What Are The Tools Needed For A Project Management System?

A work definition policy and format, a scheduling procedure, a resource budgeting methodology and format, a real time data collection/reporting system, a material control and accountability subsystem, a change control subsystem, and a monthly formal status review format to be used by senior management.

Q18. Who Is Stakeholder ?

Project stakeholders are individuals and organizations that are actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be affected as a result of project execution or project completion. They may also exert influence over the project’s objectives and outcomes. The project management team must identify the stakeholders, determine their requirements and expectations, and, to the extent possible, manage their influence in relation to the requirements to ensure a successful project.

Q19. What Do You Mean By Business Object?

Business Object is a new query and report software program. It is a part of CSC software package. It is capable of performing more sophisticated mathematical calculations than IQ objects.

Q20. What Is Unit Testing?

Unit testing, also called Component testing is performed by programmers to test that a specified unit of the program meets the expected output when a particular input is provided. Here, the programmer has to know the internal logic and code of the system. It is a way of performing the White box testing. It involves checking that each feature specified in the “Component Design” is implemented in the components.

A Unit in unit testing means a module self contained and by itself.

Q21. What Is Fish Bone Diagram? Or Explain Ishikawa Diagram.

• Fish Bone Diagram is also called Ishikawa Diagram or Cause and Effect Diagram.
• It is called Fish Bone Diagram because of its structure.
• Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa invented it so it is called Ishikawa Diagram.
• It performs the job of analyzing the causes and their effects pertaining to the Project. So, it is called Cause and Effect Diagram.
• It helps in identifying the potential causes of problems and finally the root cause which make a difference on the performance of the project. This helps in finding the solutions to the problems which have affected the performance of the last project.

Q22. What Is Mpmm?

MPMM is a Project Management Methodology which provides a complete “framework” for managing projects. This framework provides you with a step-by-step walkthrough of the phases, activities and tasks to be undertaken to complete a project. By following the Project Life Cycle framework for your project, you will greatly enhance your chances of project success.

Q23. What Is White Box Testing?

White box testing is done to test the accuracy of logic and code of the program. It is done by programmers who know the logical flow of the system. It can be done by testing the classes or components in isolation. One of the ways of doing it is Unit Testing.

Q24. Who Is A Stakeholder ?

A stakeholder is anyone who has something to gain or lose as a result of the completion or failure of this project or phase.

Q25. What Is Project?

1. A Project is a temporary endeavor to provide unique product or service.
2. Project is a temporary effort of work, a one-time event that meets the following criteria:

• Has a start and an end date.
• Has schedule, cost, and quality constraints.
• Is a unique endeavor and contains risk.

Q26. What Makes A Good Project Manager?

A Project Manager is active doer, not bystander.

Q27. As A Project Manager How To Add Value To Your Project?

Project Manager Add Value By:

• Define Proper Communication Plan.
• Maintain Clear Functional and Technical Documentation.
• Arrange Brainstorming session within the team to deliver best quality of services.
• Improve Technical competency in team through different approach.
• Maintain Team Morale with Creative and fun activities.
• appropriate resource backup and risk plan.

Q28. What Is Six Sigma?

SIX sigma is one of the business management strategies. Six Sigma is used to improve quality of process outputs which identifies and removes the causes of defects and variations in manufacturing and business processes. It implements a set of management methods and creates a special infrastructure of people within the organization who are the experts in these methods. A well defined sequence of steps is followed by each six sigma project and has quantified financial targets.

Q29. Why Should The Project Be Planned?

The main reason for planning a project is for cost expediency. Proper project planning will insure that the amount of work to be accomplished, the time allotted to satisfactory complete the work scope, and the resources required to complete the work scope are equally balanced. Every project undergoes some amount of change while in progress. Proper planning allows for the assessment of the impact of change prior to implementing the change.

Q30. Define Car And Dar?

CAR – Casual analysis and resolution:

CAR identifies problem and perform a root cause analysis of the same. CAR needs to be performed at every project phase. Fishbone diagram is one of the ways to perform CAR.

DAR- Decision Analysis and Resolution:

This is to analyze possible decisions using a formal evaluation process that identifies alternatives against current resources.

Q31. What Are The Different Phases Of Sdlc?

SDLC – stands for Software Development Life Cycle.

It can be divided in to 7 phases they are:

1. Preliminary Investigation (Feasibility Study).
2. Requirement Analysis (Analysis).
3. Design of the System.
4. Software Construction.
5. System Testing.
6. System Implementation.
7. System Maintenance.

Q32. What Is A Work Breakdown Structure (wbs)?

The work breakdown structure defines the total project. A work breakdown structure is a product oriented, family tree composed of hardware elements, software elements, and service elements. The work breakdown structure relates project elements or work scope definitions to each other and to the end product. The work breakdown structure is not an organization chart of company personnel.

Q33. Define Pareto Principle Or 80/20 Principle?

It is one way of tackling problem in management. It says 20% of the problems lead to other 80% of the problems. According to this principle, we should focus on 20% of the problem. In any software project first 10% and last 10% from the vital part of the project.

Q34. What Are The Five Levels In Cmmi?

In case of development CMMI ratings are awarded from 2 to 5.

• Level 2 – Managed
• Level 3 – Defined
• Level 4 – Quantitatively Managed
• Level 5– Optimizing

Q35. What Is Cmmi?

• CMMI stands for Capability Maturity Model Integration.
• It is a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements for effective process improvement.

Q36. Which Institute Offers Pmp Certification?

Project Management Institute (PMI).

Q37. Explain The Popular Software Development Life Cycle Models?

Waterfall model:

This is the oldest model. It represents sequence of stages; output of one stage becomes input of others.

Spiral Model:

This is improved version of waterfall model. Here we have scope to reiterate and go back to the earlier stages number of times as project progresses.

Build and fix model:

This is a risky and most unorganized model. In this, developers keep writing code until the customer is happy.

Rapid Prototype Model:

In this model, we develop prototype which acts like a final product. Once prototype is approved, then the actual development starts.

Incremental Model:

In this model, the product is divided into sections and each section of the product are created and tested separately.

Q38. What Do You Mean By Customizing Object?

A Customizing object in a SAP component is an object which is customized with the same contents in another component. The contents of the customizing objects have to be corresponding in different systems in a system landscape.

Q39. What Should The Project Manager Look For In A Scheduling System?

The three basic elements that the project scheduling systems should provide are; a common basis for communication at all operational levels of the project, a basis for regular status reporting, the use of the management by exception technique.

Q40. What Are The Different Elements In Functions Points?

The elements in functions points are:

• External Inputs: It is an elementary process which allows the data to cross the boundary from outside to inside.
• External Outputs: A elementary process which allows the data passes across the boundary from inside to outside
• External Inquiry: It is an elementary process which has both input and output components which results data retrieval from one or more internal logical files and external interface files.
• Internal Logical Files: An identifiable group of logically related data that resides entirely within the applications boundary and is maintained through external inputs.
• External Interface Files: An identifiable group of logically related data that is used only for reference purpose. The data is completely persisted outside the application and is maintained by another application.

Q41. What Is Cmmi? What Are The Five Levels In Cmmi?

Capability Maturity Model(CMM) is a maturity model of certain business processes in software engineering.

The CMM identifies five levels of process maturity for an organization:

• Initial – the starting point for use of a new process.
• Repeatable – the process is used repeatedly.
• Defined – the process is defined or confirmed as a standard business process.
• Managed – process management and measurement takes place.
• Optimizing – process management includes deliberate process optimization and improvement

Q42. Explain Project Life Cycle?

Waterfall Model: The waterfall model is a software development process which follows a sequential approach. This approach steadily flows downwards like a waterfall which includes the phases of conception, initiation, analysis, design, construction, testing and maintenance.

Spiral Model: The spiral model is one of the software development processes which combines the design and prototyping -in -stages together to gain the advantage of top-down and bottom-up approaches.

Build and Fix model: This model is one of the worst model for project development. The project is built without specifications and lacks design steps. Essentially, the project is developed, tested, modified as many times as possible. This process continues until the client’s satisfaction is attained. The cost is greater compared to other models. The software engineers are discouraged to use this model.

Rapid prototyping Model: To determine and identify the design flaws and obtaining feedback during design process is done by using rapid prototyping model. Product designers and engineers are allowed to view their designs look and function in real world situations by using Rapid Prototyping Model.

Incremental Model: The evolution of waterfall model is incremental model. The integration testing, product design and development is done as a series of incremental builds. A popular software evolution model used by many software companies. Incremental model is suitable and applicable where software requirements are well defined, but their implementation may be delayed; and the basic software functionality are required early.

Q43. What Is Black Box Testing?

Black box testing or functional testing means testing the software for the outputs when specified inputs are provided. It is usually performed to see if the software meets the user’s requirements. There’s no focus on what goes behind running that software. An example of this could be manual testing of the system by a tester, assembly testing.

Q44. What Is A Fish Bone Diagram ?

Fish bone diagrams are the diagrams that show the causes of a certain events. In designing products, to identify the potential reasons / factors that cause overall effect, the fishbone diagrams are used.

Q45. What Is Dual Vee Model?

The Dual Vee Model, like the V-Model is a systems development model designed to simplify the understanding of the complexity associated with developing systems. In systems engineering it is used to define a uniform procedure for product or project development.

The model addresses the necessary concurrent development of a system’s architecture with the entities of that architecture and illuminates the necessary interactions and sequences recommended for orderly maturation of a system and systems of systems. This article explains the power of the Dual Vee Model when applied as a reminder model for development of complex systems.

Q46. What Is Waterfall Model?

The waterfall model is a sequential software development process, in which progress is seen as flowing steadily downwards (like a waterfall) through the phases of Conception, Initiation, Analysis, Design (validation), Construction, Testing and maintenance.

Q47. What Is Project Planning?

Project Planning defines in detail the project activities and the product that will be produced, and describes how the project activities will be accomplished. Project Planning defines all major tasks, estimates the time and resources necessary to complete them, and provides a framework for management review and control.

Project Planning activities include defining and documenting the following:

• Work to be performed,
• Project goals,
•  Estimates for planning, tracking, executing, and controlling the project,
•  Commitments of the affected groups, and,
•  Project alternatives, assumptions, and constraints.

Q48. What Is Assembly Testing?

Assembly testing moves one step ahead of Unit testing. It checks if two or more modules are able to communicate and produce expected results or not. No Unit in the system can perform stand alone activities. The output of one module may be used as input by another, so it is highly important if the related modules are able to connect and produce the desired result. Assembly testing is a way of Black box testing and can be done through the UI.

Q49. What Are The Different Project Management Tools?

The different Project Management tools are MS Project, Templates, eBooks, flowcharts Compliant with PMBOK 4th Edition, EPOs (Electronic Project Offices) etc.

Q50. What Is A Triple Constraint Triangle In Project Management?

Project cost, schedule and scope are depicted as a project management triangle. The triangle is formed by customer as the center point and the three aspects form the sides of triangle. In order to gain customer satisfaction, the project management team should deliver scope in propose schedule and cost. In case any leg is gets disturbed, the other two legs gets affected. For example, if the customer increases the scope, then the other two legs-schedule and cost- get affected a lot.