Module 1: Embarking on a career in project management

Test your knowledge: Learning about careers in project management

Practice Assignment

1. When you review a job listing, which section offers the most insight when deciding if the role is well-suited for you?

Job description
Job benefits
Job salary
Job location

Explanation:
The job description provides detailed information about the responsibilities, tasks, and expectations of the role, helping you assess if your skills and experience align with the position. This section is critical in understanding the role’s requirements.

2. Which of the following might be part of a job description for an entry-level project manager role?

Our company is seeking a Program Manager with experience managing a team in the Agile framework.
Our North Coast branch needs a new Junior Project Manager who can channel drive and enthusiasm. You’ll be front and center, hands-on, and contributing your creative energy to high-impact projects.
Our business group is hiring an experienced project management professional who has a broad understanding of solutions and industry best practices.
Our leadership team is currently looking for a Senior Project Manager to support our clients in the Life Sciences and Industrial sectors.

Explanation:
This statement describes a Junior Project Manager role, which is suitable for an entry-level position. The language reflects a focus on enthusiasm and hands-on work, which are typically key characteristics of entry-level roles. The other options refer to roles for more experienced positions.

3. Which of the following best exemplifies the progression of a project management career?

Project manager to program manager to portfolio manager
Program manager to project manager to portfolio manager
Project manager to portfolio manager to program manager

Explanation:
The typical career progression in project management moves from Project Manager (handling individual projects) to Program Manager (overseeing multiple related projects) and then to Portfolio Manager (managing a collection of projects and programs). This progression follows a logical growth in responsibility and scope.

4. What three types of information can be helpful to include in your search for project management roles? Select the three options that apply:

Essential project management skills like coordination, organization, and leadership
Common project management-related buzzwords like “process improvement” and “risk management”
Training you may gain later in your project management career
Skills you’ve acquired in your current or previous position

Explanation:
These elements are all important for your job search:

Essential skills are fundamental in project management roles.
Buzzwords help your profile align with industry expectations and ensure it passes through filters in job applications.
Previous skills demonstrate your experience and suitability for the role.

Note: While training you may gain later can be useful, it’s generally better to focus on what you already have for a more immediate impact during the job search.

Module 1 Challenge

Graded Assignment

5. Which of the following are benifits of an internship ? Select all that apply.

Get a guaranteed permanent position
Network with people in your desired industry
Boost your resume
Get short-term, hands on industry experience

6. Which of the following best describes why there is increasing demand for project management role in today's job market?

Project management is a relatively new job titles.
Project management roles are designed to adapt to change and handle new processes as they come up.
Project management isn’t adequately compensated when compared to similar roles.
There’s significant turnover in the project management field.

7. Fill in the blank:A/An _____ allows you to work for a company on a project-by-project basis but not as a full time employee.

contract
internship
mentor
salary

8.Throughout a project, project managers have to keep project expenses within an expected range. What is this project management responsibility called?

Planning and organizing
Budgeting and controlling costs
Managing tasks
Networking

9. Fill in the blanks: ____ is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to meet the project requirements and achieve the desired outcome.

Budget management
Project management
Organization
Communication

10. Fill in the blank: Project management is valuable to businesses because it ____ .

helps ensure that a project delivers goods or services that meet the customer’s needs
helps ensure that a project sticks to long-term and short-term deadlines
helps ensure that a project centralizes communication – both in real time and all at once
helps ensure that a project delivers the expected outcomes on time and within budget

11. Which of the following explains how a project manager best accomplishes their responsibilities? Select all that apply.

Knows what the project team needs to accomplish and when
Establishes the budget after the project begins
Assigns project tasks to the appropriately-skills stakeholders
Communicates key project milestones to stay on task
Helps the team get what they need to keep the project going

12. Fill in the blank: A ___ has a clear outcome and a clearly-defined start and end date.

task
project
communication
program

Explanation:
A project is defined as a temporary endeavor with a clear goal, start date, and end date. It’s distinct from ongoing operations or programs.

13. Which of the following tasks or roles could one use to demonstrate project management experience during a job interview? Select all that apply.

Planning a surprise party
Attending a formal event
Organizing a big move
Managing a retail store’s inventory changes

14 What required skills are typically listed in project management job postings? Select all that apply.

Social media marketing
Organizational management
Web design
Budget preparation and monitoring
Communication skills

15. As someone seeking an entry-level project management position, you want to include buzzwords and skills in your job search that can help you find an ideal job for your skill set. Which of the following are project management-related buzzwords you could include on your resume? Select all that apply.

Coding expertise
Independent worker
Process improvement
Executing plans

16. As you search through job boards looking for project management jobs, which of the following job titles could make the most sense for you?

IT specialist
Software engineer
Operations assistant
Administrative assistant

17. Which of the following are important project management responsibilities? Select all that apply.

Controlling costs
Planning and organizing
Managing company operations
Managing tasks

18. Which of the following may be a sign of poor project management at your company?

A project team member is unhappy with their role
Many projects are failing to meet organizational goals
Most projects are small projects
Many projects are ongoing at the same time

19. What does it take for a project manager to ensure a project stays on-track and on-budget? Select all that apply.

Technical industry experience
Collaboration
Careful planning
Networking

20. Which of the following responsibilities involves gathering project requirements and creating a project plan?

Forecasting the budget
Planning and organizing
Communicating project milestones
Managing tasks

21. Fill in the blank: A project is a temporary pursuit and usually includes a set of _____.

unique deliverables
team members
strategic risks
rules for accountability

22. Fill in the blank: It's likely that you have used project management skills in the past, and these skills are _____ in professional project management.

uncommon
impractical
transferable
inapplicable

23. As you search for project management roles, you find a job listing for an “Executive Development Operations Associate'' with a list of job responsibilities. Which of the following responsibilities tell you that this job is a project management opportunity? Select all that apply.

Regular office hours at corporate training center
Plan and organize team objectives and priorities
Coordinate executive training plans
Travel up to twelve weeks a year

24. As someone seeking a project management position, you want your job profile to highlight your ability to stay focused on different tasks. Which of the following are phrases you might use to describe yourself? Select all that apply.

Outstanding communication skills
Solid organizational skills
Highly organized
Excellent people manager

25. As a Junior Project Manager, a person performs all aspects of being a project manager alongside a more experienced professional. Which project management job category best describes this role?

Scrum master
Traditional project management
Entry-level project management
Operational management

26. Fill in the blank: Working for companies _____ means you’ll work on a project-by-project basis, but not as a full-time employee.

as a mentor
on a salary
on a contract
as an intern

27. Once the project is underway, project managers help manage activities for the team members and communicate key milestones to stakeholders. What is this project management responsibility called?

Selecting tools
Managing tasks
Budgeting and controlling costs
Networking

28. As the vice-president of your class Philanthropy Club at school, you assembled and led a team of 20 students to plan and execute events like fundraisers, community gatherings, and academic assemblies. What project management skills does your Philanthropy Club experience demonstrate?

Budgeting and controlling costs
Interviewing and hiring
Planning and organizing
Advanced technology skills

29. Which of the following responsibilities involves overseeing activities that team members do on a daily or weekly basis?

Forecasting the budget
Managing tasks
Gathering requirements from customers
Controlling costs

Explanation:
Managing tasks refers to overseeing the day-to-day activities of team members, ensuring that individual tasks are completed according to schedule and within scope.

30. Fill in the blank: Typically, projects have a(n) _____ beginning and end.

defined
vague
immovable
broad

31. You just finished a successful internship as a project support specialist at a large banking firm and are looking for a full-time project management job. The best project manager position listed near you is for an IT project manager. Why might you be a good candidate for this job?

Only people with IT experience can manage banking projects.
Because most IT projects are related to banking.
Because banks use information technologies.
Because project management skills learned in one industry can be applied to other industries.

32. Fill in the blank: There are _____ job titles a project manager can have.

many and varied
only a few
a decreasing number of
very specific

33. What did researchers project in 2020 for job growth in the project management field?

Project management talent is in high demand in a few countries.
Project managers cannot succeed without a PM certification.
Project management aligned roles will need nearly 90 million people to fill positions by the year 2027.
Project management talent is only in high demand in large American cities.

34. Which of the following are benefits of a contracting job in project management? Select all that apply.

Building a portfolio
Guaranteeing a permanent position with a company
Developing a professional network
Experiencing different kinds of companies and project types

35. You have recently been hired as a project manager leading a team of technical writers in completing a set of user manuals for a new product launch. Which of the following abilities are you expected to demonstrate?

Task management
Interviewing and hiring
Technological expertise
Advanced writing skills

36. You’ve been asked to lead a team implementing a new production technique in one of your company’s factories. The implementation process starts next Monday and the company would like you to complete it within two weeks. What is this implementation process an example of?

An upgrade
A takeover
A business
A project

37. As someone who has already gained some experience in introductory-level positions, you are seeking a job in a more traditional project management role. Which of the following roles might interest you? Select all that apply.

Project Leader
Product Owner
Project Controller
Project Management Office (PMO) Analyst

38. As someone seeking a project management role, you occasionally meet people in a professional setting to share knowledge and create new business connections. This is an example of what strategy to get a job?

Join LinkedIn
Update resume
Attend local or online networking events
Get an internship

39. Fill in the blank: According to a 2017 Project Management Institute study, industries like manufacturing, construction, information technology, publishing, finance, and oil and gas are experiencing _____ with project management jobs.

the most amount of growth compared to other industries
the same amount of growth compared to other industries
the least amount of growth compared to other industries
no growth compared to other industries

Explanation:
These industries were noted in the study as having significant growth in demand for project management roles, indicating that these sectors are expanding and require project managers to handle complex projects.

40. You have successfully implemented programs as a program manager and feel you are ready for a step up in responsibility. Which of the following positions would you be a good fit for?

Portfolio manager
Project manager
Project administrator
Project controller

41. Several of the project managers at your company are described as “program managers.” What does this tell us about these project managers?

They are contract workers.
Their role does not involve budget management.
They manage multiple projects.
They are new to the project management role.

Explanation:
Program Managers typically oversee several related projects as part of a program. This involves coordinating the projects to ensure they align with the broader business goals, making this the distinguishing feature of the role.

42. As a project manager at a small construction firm, your responsibilities include planning and organizing the start of new builds. Which of the following activities does planning and organizing involve?

Communicating project milestones
Gathering project requirements and creating a project plan
Overseeing activities that team members do on a daily or weekly basis
Controlling costs

43. You’ve been asked to lead a team implementing a new production technique in one of your company’s factories. The implementation process starts next Monday and the company would like you to complete it within two weeks. The two week window in this scenario is an example of what defining characteristic of projects?

Representing a unique endeavor
Having a clearly defined beginning and an end
Having a project plan
Representing a project milestone

44. A construction firm needs to hire a project manager to implement a new customer engagement system. Their most experienced candidate has managed only logistics projects in the shipping industry. Why might the firm favor this candidate?

The candidate is likely to know a lot about a construction firm’s customers.
Logistics and customer engagement are the same thing.
The candidate can learn skills in one industry and apply them in another.
The candidate is likely to apply consistent processes to prevent change.

45. Fill in the blank: In addition to a job title, many companies list project management as a desired _____.

degree
skill
internship
hobby

46. An experienced project manager is seeking a program manager job, with the goal of advancing their career. Why would they want a program manager’s role?

They have demonstrated subject matter expertise in a specific industry.
They no longer want to manage projects.
They want to manage a collection of projects.
They have demonstrated success in managing a portfolio.

Explanation:
A Program Manager is responsible for overseeing multiple related projects. This role allows the individual to work at a higher strategic level than a Project Manager, managing a group of projects that contribute to a larger program goal.

47. As a project manager for a large school district, you are implementing a new telehealth technology that allows students to have virtual health checkups without having to miss school. To start, you organize training sessions for faculty to get them better acquainted with the technology, policies, and procedures for using the new telehealth option. What common project management responsibility is this an example of?

Controlling costs
Managing company operations
Managing tasks
Planning and organizing

48. Your colleague is managing three different projects that involve implementing a new set of processes in your company’s HR department. Which of the following best describes your colleague’s role at your company?

Portfolio management
HR management
Program management
Project management

49. What is true of successful project managers?

Project managers are most successful when trained in a sector that is experiencing rapid growth, like telecommunications or health care.
Project managers are most successful when learning project management skills early in their careers since it is a highly technical role.
Project managers need a formal education since project management jobs require a business degree.
Project managers gain relevant experience in the real world since skills like budgeting and time management are transferable.

50. As someone moving to a new location, you have several tasks. You have to plan for the various expenses like boxes and movers. You also have to clearly label the boxes, and manage all of the tasks leading up to and during the move. Which project management skills does the move require? Select all that apply.

Deep technical experience
Strong coordination and communication skills
Organizational ability
Budget preparation and monitoring

51. Which of the following is a way to define a project? Select all that apply.

An endeavor with unlimited deliverables from stakeholders
An ongoing process with no defined end date
A series of tasks that need to be completed to reach a desired outcome
A unique, temporary pursuit that has a defined beginning and end

Explanation:
A project is temporary with a defined start and end, and it involves a series of tasks to achieve a specific goal. The other options are either too vague or incorrect, as projects should have clear outcomes and timelines, not unlimited deliverables or ongoing processes.

52. As someone seeking an entry-level project management position, you regularly check a popular job listings website for current openings. Which of the following roles are likely seeking a person with your project management skills? Select all that apply.

Project Support Specialist
Project Administrator
Procurement Specialist
Project/Program Coordinator

Explanation:
These roles typically require entry-level project management skills. A Project Support Specialist and Project Administrator assist with project coordination and support, which are common entry-level responsibilities. A Project/Program Coordinator helps oversee multiple projects or tasks and also requires foundational project management skills.
Procurement Specialist, on the other hand, typically focuses on sourcing goods and services rather than managing projects.

53. As you begin setting up your own event management company, you have a kickoff meeting to gather requirements from project teammates for how to keep everyone on pace and aligned. What common project management responsibility is this an example of?

Controlling costs
Managing tasks
Managing budgets
Creating project plans

54. As you search for project management roles, you may see a variety of industry-specific positions with titles like “engineering project manager” or “construction project manager.” Why is it possible for a project manager to move between industries?

They are willing to change roles.
They understand how to execute an effort on schedule and on budget.
They have industry-specific expertise.
They are willing to take a lower-level project management role.

Explanation:
Project management skills, such as managing timelines and budgets, are transferable across industries. While industry-specific knowledge can help, the core skills of project management remain consistent, allowing movement between sectors.

55. As you search for project management roles, you find a job listing for an “HR Program Coordinator” with a list of desired qualifications. Which of the following desired qualifications tell you that this job is a project management opportunity? Select all that apply.

Willing to work remotely
Excellent time management, prioritization, and organizational skills
Demonstrated ability to lead others
Excellent communication skills

Explanation:
These qualifications indicate that the role involves managing people and projects. Leading others and having strong communication, time management, prioritization, and organizational skills are key traits of successful project managers, making it clear that this is a project management opportunity.

56. Throughout a project, project managers have to keep project expenses within an expected range. What is this project management responsibility called?

Planning and organizing
Networking
Budgeting and controlling costs
Managing tasks

Explanation:
Budgeting and controlling costs is a key responsibility of project managers to ensure that the project stays within its allocated budget, avoiding financial overruns and ensuring cost efficiency.