SST101 Principles of Project Management Final Exam 2025 | SUSS

Question 1  

Apply the principles of project management to answer the following with the most appropriate answers.

Question 1a

In the context of modern project management, which of the following best describes the concept of "strategic alignment"? 

A. Ensuring all team members work in the same physical location 
B. Matching project outcomes with organisational goals 
C. Aligning project timelines with fiscal year calendars D. Standardising project management software across departments

Question 1b  

When  considering  how  to  apply  project  management  skills  in  a  career  within Singapore's public sector, which approach is most relevant? 

A. Focusing solely on traditional waterfall methodologies 
B. Prioritising short-term gains over long-term strategic objectives 
C. Balancing efficiency with stakeholder engagement and public value 
D. Avoiding risk management to speed up project delivery 

Question 1c  

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a project charter? 

A. To list all project deliverables 
B. To formally authorise the project and define high-level parameters 
C. To outline the project schedule in detail D. To assign roles and responsibilities to team members 

Question 1d 

Which of the following  is the most important consideration when creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for a project involving multiple ASEAN countries?  

A. Ensuring all tasks are of equal duration 
B. Limiting the WBS to three levels of detail 
C. Accounting for cross-border collaboration challenges D. Using only software-generated WBS templates

Question 1e  

When estimating  project costs for  a large-scale infrastructure project in Singapore, which factor is most likely to cause significant variability? 

A. Fluctuations in global commodity prices 
B. Changes in team size 
C. Variations in software licensing fees 
D. Differences in employee vacation time

Question 1f 

In the context of project management, what does the term "scope creep" refer to? 

A. Gradual reduction in project scope 
B. Uncontrolled expansion of project scope 
C. Rapid completion of project tasks 
D. Intentional limitation of project objectives

Question 1g  

What is the primary purpose of a Gantt chart in project management? 

A. To identify project risks 
B. To allocate resources 
C. To visualise project schedule and task dependencies 
D. To calculate project costs  

Question 1h

What does the term "float" or "slack" refer to in project scheduling? 

A. Extra budget allocated for unexpected costs 
B. Time a task can be delayed without delaying the project 
C. Unassigned team members D. Unused materials in the project 

Question 1i  

Which  of  the  following  is  NOT  a  typical  stage  in  Tuckman's  model  of  team development? 

A. Forming 
B. Storming 
C. Excelling 
D. Performing 

Question 1j

What is the primary purpose of a project baseline? 

A. To establish minimum performance standards 
B. To provide a point of reference for measuring project progress 
C. To set the lowest acceptable quality level 
D. To determine the minimum budget required

Question 2a 

Compare and contrast the characteristics of projects and operations. Name specific examples to illustrate the key differences. Demonstrate how these differences impact the approach to estimating in each context. 

Question 2b

Critically  examine  THREE  (3)  different  methods  used  for  project  time  and  cost estimation. Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each method and discuss scenarios where each would be most appropriate.

Question 2c  

Describe the relationship between project estimating and risk management. Propose strategies a project manager can employ to improve the accuracy of estimates while accounting for potential risks. 

Question 3a

Analyse the concept of Earned Value Management (EVM) in project management. Explain  its  importance  in  measuring  project  performance  and  discuss  the  key components that make EVM an effective tool for project managers. 

Question 3b

Apply the following scenario for Questions 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d):  You are managing a software development project with a total budget of $500,000 and a  planned  duration  of  12  months.  

After  six months,  you  gather  the  following information: 

• Planned Value (PV) at Month 6 : $250,000 
• Earned Value (EV) at Month 6 : $200,000 
• Actual Cost (AC) at Month 6 : $275,000 Determine the following EVM metrics: 
• Cost Variance (CV)  
• Schedule Variance (SV)  
• Cost Performance Index (CPI)  
• Schedule Performance Index (SPI) Show your calculations and interpret the results for each metric.

Question 3c

Based  on  the  EVM  metrics  determined  in  Question  3(b),  evaluate  the  current performance of the project. Analyse whether the project is over or under budget, ahead of or behind schedule, and explain the implications of these findings for the project's future.

Question 3d  

Use  the  information  from  the  scenario  and  your  analysis  to  develop  a  set  of recommendations for the project sponsor. Propose THREE (3) specific actions the project manager should take to address any performance issues identified through the EVM  analysis.  Justify  your  recommendations  based  on  the  EVM  data  and  your understanding of project management principles.  

Question 4 

As  a  project  manager,  understanding  team  dynamics  and  effective  management strategies  is  crucial for  project  success.  Answer  the  following  questions  related  to project team management:  

Question 4a

Describe  THREE  (3)  key  avenues  a  project  manager  can  leverage  to  effectively manage  project  teams.  For  each  avenue,  provide  a  brief  explanation  of  how  it contributes to team performance and project success. 

Question 4b

Explain the Five-Stage team development model proposed by Bruce Tuckman. For each stage, provide a brief description and identify one challenge a project manager might face during that stage.  

Question 4c

Virtual project teams have become increasingly common in today's global business environment.  Identify  and  discuss  TWO  (2) unique  challenges  associated  with managing virtual project teams. Then, propose TWO (2) specific strategies a project manager  can  implement  to  overcome  these  challenges  and  ensure  effective  team collaboration.