PMI-SP Interview Questions

Well, preparing for the exam interview is equally important as preparing for the exam because it is the last step towards achieving what you want. Talking about the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) exam interview, you must know that you require technical expertise in the field and the confidence and ability to portray the answers well. Hence, we have brought for you the set of frequent and the best possible PMI-SP interview questions and answers that will help you understand the way of answering the questions and prepare well for the interview.

So, let’s look at the top PMI-SP Interview Questions now.

Q1. What are the phases in project schedule management?

The phases in project schedule management are:

Firstly, Planning Schedule Management.
Secondly, Defining Activities.
Then, Sequencing Activities.
Estimating Activity Durations.
Developing Schedule.
Finally, Controlling Schedule.

Q2. How do we create a schedule?

A Schedule can be created by using a consensus-driven estimation method because the schedule itself is an estimate that is, each date in the schedule is estimated, and if those dates don’t have the buy-in of the people who are going to do the work then the schedule will be inaccurate.

Q3. What does project mean?

Q4. Mention some project scheduling techniques?

Mathematical Analysis
Simulation
Calendar
Duration Compression
Task List
Resource-Leveling Heuristics
Gantt Chart

Q5. Define a project process flow.

In project management, a flow chart is a visual aid to understand the methodology you’re using to manage the project. The diagram shows the interdependent and parallel processes over the course of the project’s life cycle.

Q6. Describe the planning phase of project management.

Well, during the planning phase of the project management life cycle, one breaks down the bigger project into smaller tasks, builds their team, and prepares a schedule for the completion of assignments.

Q7. What are the basic control mechanisms?

The three basic types of control mechanisms are-

cybernetic
post-performance
go/no-go

Q8. What is a PMO?

PMO stands for a Project Management Office. This is an office or department within a company that defines and maintains standards for project management. Additionally, the Project Management Office gives guidance and standards in the execution of projects.

Q9. Mention the functions of PMO?

Well, a project management office performs the following functions:

Strategic planning and governance
Resource Management
Common language, culture, and mindset
Creating and maintaining project artifacts, archives, and toolsets

Q10. Name the components of PMI triangle?

The three main components for every project are:

time
cost
scope.

Q11. How does a project differ from a portfolio?

A project basically has a predefined beginning and ending time along with defined scope and resources. Besides, it is not just a routine operation, but a particular set of operations framed in order to fulfill a single goal whereas a portfolio is a collection of projects, sub-portfolios, programs, and operations managed as a group to achieve strategic objectives. Thus, a portfolio consists of both projects and programs and is managed by a portfolio manager.

Q12. Define a project charter.

A project charter is basically a short formal document that describes the project including what are the objectives and how will it be carried out, and who are the stakeholders. Moreover, it is an important ingredient in the planning of a project as it is used throughout the project lifecycle.

Q13. What do you mean by schedule control process?

The Control Schedule Process is the procedure of monitoring the project’s status so as to determine if the requirements of the project baseline are met. Besides, the status of activities and workforce utilization provides the standards for measurement in order to determine the schedule variance.

Q14. What is work breakdown structure?

A work breakdown structure in project management and systems engineering. This is basically a deliverable-oriented breakdown of a project into small components. Moreover, a work breakdown structure is a key project deliverable that organizes the team’s work into manageable sections.

Q15. Describe the role of a stakeholder?

Stakeholder has the rights to make legal decisions and control project scheduling and budgetary issues. Moreover, most of the project stakeholders are responsible for businesses that include educating developers, creating scheduling parameters, financing projects, and setting milestone dates.

Q16. Define the term project environment.

Well, the project environment includes the internal and external factors that influence a project. The organizational structure also plays a major role in managing a project and is a major influential factor within the project environment.

Q17. What does risk tolerance mean?

Risk tolerance tells that how sensitive the company or the project stakeholders are to risks as well as their willingness to either accept or avoid risk. Moreover, if not fluid, risk tolerance is variable from person to person.

Q18. What is the significance of communication skills in project management.

Good communication helps in keeping the conflicts and confusion from bogging a project down by making sure that key players are aligned on the goals of a project and know exactly what is expected of them. Moreover, it helps in building team-wide trust so that everyone works better as a team from the start to the finishing of that project.

Q19. What do you mean by Performance Measurement Baseline?

The Performance Measurement Baseline is an essential tool in earned value management that is used by the Program Managers and Systems Engineers in the Technical Assessment Phase so as to appraise the technical progress of a program. Also, it builds the scope, schedule, and specifies budget targets for the program.

Q20. What are network diagrams?

PDM network diagrams usually find their use in project management and are an efficient alternative to ADMs. In this diagramming method for making network diagrams, each box represents an activity, with the arrows showing relationships between the different activities.

Q21. Define project communication management.

Project communication management is a set of phases or processes that help in ensuring that the right messages are sent, received, and understood by the right people.

Q22. Name the principles of Project Stakeholder Management.

The principles of Project Stakeholder Management are as follows:

acknowledgment
monitoring
listening
communicating
adoption
recognizing
working
avoiding

Q23. What are the types of stakeholders?

Stakeholders are inclusive of Customers, Investors, Employees, Suppliers and Vendors, Communities ,and Governments

Q24. What does baseline management plan offer?

Well, a baseline management plan constitutes the documentation regarding how the baselines vary and how should they be handled. Management determines the acts that the team does when variances to the baseline arise with the help of additional planning.

Q25. What do you mean by feedback in project management?

Feedback in project management is about listening carefully, taking the time for analyzing, and thinking of the best possible solutions in order to perform better. Moreover, it gives positive criticism and allows to see what everyone can change to enhance their focus and results. Also, it brings people together and makes a healthy communication flow.

Q26. What are the types of feedbacks?

Some common types of feedbacks are as follows:

Evaluative Feedback
Supportive Feedback
Understanding Feedback
Probing Feedback
Interpretive Feedback

Q27. What is reserve analysis?

Well, reserve analysis is among the most common techniques used to determine the budget of a project. During reserve analysis, a project is analyzed from a cost overrun point of view, and buffers are placed in the relevant place. Hence, these buffers are known as contingency and management reserves.

Q28. What does schedule risk analysis refer to?

Schedule risk analysis is a planning process that aims to enhance the predictability as well as the performance of a project. Moreover, it helps the project managers in assessing the likely impact of uncertainty and of individual risks on the time of completion.

Q29. What are the types of risks?

The types of project risks are:

Performance risk
Scope risk
Quality risk
Technological risk

Q30. What are resource calendars?

Resource calendars find their use for the planning, managing, and monitoring of resources, consisting of both employees and equipment. Besides, it provides project managers an overview of how resources are being utilized and which resources are available, and when.

Q31. What does EVM stand for?

EVM stands for Earned value management. This is a method of project management that integrates schedule, costs, and scope so as to measure the performance of a project. Additionally, EVM predicts the future and allows project managers to adjust accordingly on the basis of planned and actual values.

Q32. Explain the critical path method.

The critical path method is a resource-utilization technique for scheduling a combination of project activities. The important method for using CPM is to construct a model of the project that is inclusive of a list of all tasks needed to complete the project.

Q33. Define the term PERT.

PERT stands for Program Evaluation and Review Technique that is a method of project management used to manage uncertain activities of any project.

Q34. What is the purpose of organizational structure?

A project operates with the people, process, and technology of an organization. Projects have an impact on the culture, policies, procedures, and other aspects of an organization. The organizational structure has a major impact on the execution of the project. Moreover, it decides the resources, communication methods, and other important aspects of project management.

Q35. Mention the types of organizational structures.

Organizational structure is of the following types:

Functional
Matrix
Projectized
Smart StudyOrganic
Multi-divisional
Virtual

Q36. What do you mean by product resource management?

Resource management is the process of acquiring, allocating, and managing resources, like individuals and their abilities, finances, materials, machinery, technology, and natural resources required for a project. Moreover, resource management ensures the effective use of internal and external resources on time and on budget.

Q37. Mention the basic types of resources?

Human Resources
Economic Resources
Natural Resources
Speculative Resources
Space Resources
Data Resources

Q38. What is a statement of work?

A statement of work or scope of work is a contractual document that defines what goes into the project in a detailed manner. In project management, SOW covers the deal between two parties namely the client and a project-based company.

Q39. What does PEP refer to?

PEP stands for Project Environmental Plan that is needed for all projects undertaken by Wates. Also, the PEP is prepared before the commencement of site and is reviewed at least monthly by the project team, and as part of the audit process.

Q40. What are the levels of risk tolerance?

The three basic levels of risk tolerance are:

aggressive
moderate
conservative

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