Best practices in outsourcing project work

Project Management Ch 12 - Outsourcing: Managing Interorganizational Relations

6th Edition

Your Results:
The answer for each question is indicated by a .

1
The transferring of business functions or processes to other companies has traditionally been known as
A)
Subcontracting
B)
Downsizing
C)
Partnering
D)
Joint venture
E)
Outsourcing

2
Advantages of outsourcing project work may likely include all of the following EXCEPT
A)
Shortened project duration
B)
Reduced costs
C)
Higher level of expertise
D)
Reduced conflict
E)
Increased flexibility

3
Why are extensive training and team building activities important when managing contracted relationships?
A)
Extensive training and team building activities are not worth the effort because people issues will usually work themselves out over time.
B)
So team members are provided with a theoretical understanding of the barriers to collaboration as well as the skills and procedures to be successful.
C)
So conflict management processes can be put into place
D)
So teams can still function together when co-location is not important for project success
E)
So teams can identify difficult individuals and keep their distance during the project

4
Outsourced projects are susceptible to conflicts since people are unaccustomed to working together. Which of the following is a primary control mechanism for dealing with and resolving problems?
A)
Arbitration
B)
Escalation
C)
Collaboration
D)
Mediation
E)
Regulation

5
Key practices in the partnering approach to managing contracted relationships include
A)
Single project contracting
B)
Risk being transferred to the other party
C)
Access to each other's organizational resources
D)
Structured communications
E)
Independent project teams

6
Which of the following is part of the traditional approach to managing contracted relationships?
A)
Structured communications
B)
Long-term commitment
C)
Total company involvement
D)
Shared risk
E)
Mutual trust

7
Which of the following is true in regard to negotiation when managing projects?
A)
It is a competitive contest
B)
Each negotiator should win as much as he or she can for his or her side
C)
If project managers are not able win negotiations, they will not be seen as effective leaders
D)
Success is measured by how much is gained compared to the other party
E)
It cannot be viewed as a contest

8
Best practices in outsourcing project work include all the following EXCEPT
A)
Well defined requirements and procedures
B)
Training and teambuilding activities
C)
Well-established conflict management processes
D)
Frequent reviews and status updates
E)
Short-term, no pressure, outsourcing relationships

9
The result of teambuilding among the project's participants that states their common goals for the project as well as the procedures that will be used to achieve these goals is a
A)
Signed contract
B)
Legal partnership agreement
C)
Project plan
D)
Partnering charter
E)
Responsibility matrix

10
What does the acronym BATNA stand for?
A)
Best alternative to a negotiated agreement
B)
Be able to negotiate an agreement
C)
Better ability to negotiate an agreement
D)
Best ability to have a negotiated agreement
E)
Better agree than no agreement

11
Long-term partnerships will provide all the following EXCEPT
A)
Improved communication
B)
More efficient utilization of resources
C)
Reduced communication requirements
D)
Lower administrative costs
E)
Improved innovation

12
Ultimate success of the project is determined by
A)
Whether the project was completed on time
B)
Whether the customer is happy
C)
Whether the project meets specifications
D)
Whether the project was under budget
E)
Whether the project served the purpose it intended

13
Principled negotiation emphasizes developing win/win solutions while protecting yourself against those who would take advantage of your forthrightness. Which of the following is NOT one of the key points of principled negotiation?
A)
Use objective criteria when possible
B)
Be honest and forthright
C)
Focus on interests, not positions
D)
Separate the people from the problem
E)
Invent options for mutual gain

14
Mathematically, customer satisfaction is a function of the extent to which perceived performance exceeds expectations. A customer satisfaction ratio of .95 indicates that a customer is
A)
Very satisfied
B)
Slightly satisfied
C)
Neutral. Expectations were met
D)
Slightly dissatisfied
E)
Very dissatisfied

15
When considering principled negotiation, revealing why you are trying to achieve something instead of demanding what you want or need is an example of
A)
Separate people from the problem
B)
Be honest
C)
Focus on interests, not positions
D)
Invent options for mutual gain
E)
When possible, use objective criteria