PMP Practice Questions #34
You are the project manager for an enterprise software designed to enhance virtual team collaboration and boost productivity. During the project’s early stages, you find out that the organization’s network infrastructure is inadequate to support the new software. This discovery jeopardizes the entire project’s feasibility. What is your immediate next step?
A) Continue with the project implementation since you have an approved budget for your project.
B) Share this information with your governance group.
C) Upgrade the network infrastructure using your project budget
D) Attempt to reduce the software’s requirements to fit the existing infrastructure.
Analysis
In the presented scenario, the project manager made an important discovery in the early stages of the project. The organization’s network infrastructure is not adequate enough for the newly designed enterprise software. This shortcoming might jeopardize the project’s success and its anticipated benefits. The project manager now faces a decision on what to do next.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Continue with the project implementation since you have an approved budget for your project. This approach lacks a value-driven focus. The project manager might have the budget for the software implementation. However, moving forward without addressing the infrastructure inadequacy could make the software unusable. This approach may seem in line with a vendor-focused attitude, where the goal is just finishing the project for payment. But, it doesn’t align with the PMP’s emphasis on delivering real value.
Option B: Share this information with your governance group. This seems a proactive and collaborative approach. Before jumping to conclusions or solutions, the project manager should escalate the issue. It should be brought to the attention of the right stakeholders or governance group. Infrastructure-related issues generally require the involvement of governance. These individuals have the authority and perspective to decide on the next steps. Governance is critical for managing changes in the internal or external business environment and deviations in the budget, scope, schedule, resources, or quality. Additionally, governance provides oversight in budget management.
Option C: Upgrade the network infrastructure using your project budget. This option is impractical and likely not feasible. The project budget is designated for specific deliverables and tasks related to the software project. It’s unlikely that this budget would cover the extensive costs of upgrading the entire network infrastructure. Making such a decision would typically fall outside the project manager’s purview.
Option D: Attempt to reduce the software’s requirements to fit the existing infrastructure. While this might seem like a workaround, it’s a premature decision. Modifying the software’s requirements could degrade its capabilities. It might also fail to meet the project’s intended objectives. The stakeholders need to be informed before such a choice is made. A joint decision should then be pursued.
Conclusion: Based on the analysis, Option B (Share this information with your governance group) is the most appropriate immediate next step. The project manager should not unilaterally decide on such significant matters. Instead, the right stakeholders need to be informed, and a collaborative decision should be taken. The situation aligns with the business domain task of supporting organizational change, emphasizing evaluating the project’s impact and determining required actions collaboratively.
This situation resonates with the business domain task of supporting organizational change. It emphasizes evaluating the project’s impact and deciding on the necessary actions in a collaborative manner.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
Topics Covered
- Organizational Change Management
- Project Communication
- Build trust for project objectives
- Stakeholder collaboration for project issues
