CIPS L6M5 Strategic Programme Leadership Exam Practice Test

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Project 1 - Parametric & Positional Power

Parametric estimation uses an algorithm based on existing data to estimate project costs.

Positional power applies because the leader is the founder of the organisation.

Project 2 - Analogous & Expert Power

Analogous estimation uses historical project data to estimate costs, aligning with the Head of R&D using past projects.

Expert power applies since the project lead is a PhD-qualified Data Scientist.

Project 3 - Bottom-up & Positional Power

Bottom-up estimation involves creating a Bill of Materials and summing up individual costs, which matches this project.

Positional power applies because the project leader is a key stakeholder.

Project 4 - 3-Point Estimate & Negative Power

3-Point Estimation calculates the best, worst, and most likely cost scenarios, matching the given description.

Negative power applies because the leader has the authority to cancel the project at any time.

Project 5 - Expert Judgement & Personal Power

Expert Judgement applies because the leader used his own research to determine the budget.

Personal power applies because the project leader is well-liked and selected a team he is comfortable with.

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Company 1 - Power Culture & Control System

The founder has centralised power, meaning this is a Power Culture.

The Control System is strong due to the strict financial management and reward structure.

Company 2 - Person Culture & Symbols

Employees work independently and focus on their own clients, indicating a Person Culture.

The Symbols aspect comes from the strong corporate branding and identity.

Company 3 - Role Culture & Organisation Structure

A Role Culture is present due to the strict hierarchy and bureaucracy.

The Organisation Structure influences this, as it determines salary and responsibilities.

Company 4 - Task Culture & Ritual

The focus on small teams and dynamic work assignments suggests a Task Culture.

The weekly meetings reflect an important ritual in the company’s culture.

Company 5 - Power Culture & Stories

Power is concentrated in senior leadership, making this a Power Culture.

The company culture is reinforced through Stories of past successes.

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Project 1 - Full Turnkey & Top-down Pricing

The project is a full turnkey contract because XYZ is responsible for both design and construction, and ownership is transferred to the client upon completion.

The pricing mechanism is top-down, as it is determined based on past experience of similar projects.

Project 2 - Design and Operate & Rolling Pricing

This is a design and operate contract since XYZ is managing the facility for 6 years after construction.

The rolling pricing mechanism applies because the budget changes continuously over the years due to industry volatility.

Project 3 - Management Contracting & Zero Pricing

Management contracting applies because XYZ was involved early but does not carry design risk.

The pricing mechanism is zero, meaning the budget resets at the beginning of each new accounting period.

Project 4 - Partial Turnkey & Activity-Based Pricing

This is a partial turnkey contract because XYZ is responsible for only certain aspects of the design and build, while another contractor is also involved.

Activity-based pricing is used since XYZ is paid upon milestone completion.

Project 5 - Design Build Operate and Ownership & Bottom-up Pricing

This project follows a Design Build Operate and Ownership (DBOO) model because XYZ is responsible for construction and will operate the toll bridge for 6 years before transferring full control.

The pricing is bottom-up, as it includes raw materials, labor costs, and a profit margin.

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Project 1 - NEC & Target Costing

NEC (New Engineering Contract) is used in public sector projects because of its flexibility and collaborative nature.

The Target Costing pricing mechanism is used, as cost savings are shared between the client and the contractor.

Project 2 - FIDIC & Fixed Lump Sum

FIDIC (Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils) is known as the "Rainbow Suite", which is rigid and does not allow changes.

The Fixed Lump Sum pricing mechanism applies since the price was set at contract signing.

Project 3 - Joint Venture Contract & Bill of Quantities

Joint Venture Contracts are commonly used in international construction projects, such as wind turbine projects.

Bill of Quantities pricing applies since the cost is calculated per unit (each wind turbine).

Project 4 - JCT & Cost Reimbursable

JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal) is the most popular contract type in the construction industry, and it includes a Contract Administrator.

The Cost Reimbursable pricing mechanism is used because costs are shared plus a profit margin.

Project 5 - IMechE & Activity-Based Pricing

IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) is used for ICT and engineering-related projects.

Activity-Based Pricing applies because payments are milestone-based.

This describes a Role Culture (p.170-175):

Clear job roles, structured hierarchy, and predictable work patterns.

Task Culture (A) focuses on project-based teams.

Power Culture (C) is centralized authority.

Person Culture (D) emphasizes individual autonomy. [P.170-175]

A Payback Analysis (p.72) calculates how long it takes for a project to recover its initial investment. It accounts for project duration but does not provide a rate of return (Option C). Discount factors (Option D) are used in Net Present Value (NPV) analysis, not Payback Analysis. [P.72]

Redundancy is a strategic tool for cultural change (p.208).

Options A & B relate to cost-cutting and downsizing, not change.

Option D involves expansion, not workforce reduction. [P.208]

A favourable variance means that the actual performance was better than expected.

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Connectivity is listed as a warranty, not a condition (p.125).

Warranty breaches allow for damages but do not permit contract termination.

If it were a "condition" instead of a warranty, termination would be allowed. [P.125]

Stories, rituals, symbols, and control systems are part of the Cultural Web. The other two aspects of the Cultural Web (organisational structure and power structure) are not listed here.

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Tacit knowledge is the correct answer. Of the options listed, only explicit and tacit are types of knowledge, so you can discount options C and D. The study guide states on p. 147: "Many of the lessons learned by project managers fall under the category of tacit knowledge."

Domain: 2.4

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Acceptance Criteria should be set before the project starts in the Project Initiation Document (PID) (p.137).

Option A is too late, as the project is already completed.

Option B is iterative, but criteria should be predefined.

Option D is for evaluation, not definition. [P.137]