Should this kind of math question pop up in the PMP exam, use the choices to your advantage. At the most, you will do only 4 substitutions to the formula in case the number of communication channel given is of big value, say 100. It's more logical and quicker than using the quadratic equation or thinking of a value for trial and error. But for the sake of just knowing how to calculate it (educational purposes), you can follow the above solutions by sspawar.
In order to speed up a project, you made a decision to fast-track a phase currently performed with five team members, and another one which was planned to begin in four weeks time with another five team members.
Which of the following activities should you do first?
a. Make sure that all exit criteria of the consecutive phase have been met to ensure the flow of communications in a team situation which is more complex by a factor of 2.
b. Make sure that all entry criteria of the previous phase have been met by planning and performing a phase gate meeting to assess technical aptness.
c. Make sure that all exit criteria of the previous phase have been met by planning and performing a phase gate meeting to assess technical performance.
d. Restructure your team and delegate tasks in order to ensure the flow of communications in a team with the number of communication channels increased by a factor of 4.5.
They are two independent teams reporting to the same PM. The problem does not say that the 2 teams communicate..they are working in parallel (fast tracked)
Each team has 5 members. Counting the PM , that is 6 members
So channels = 6 x 5/2 = 15
For other team reporting to the same PM, it is again 15 channels.
So, number of channels should go up by a factor of 2 in my opinion.
I do not expect such mathematical question in real PMP exam. PMP exam if for PM and his duties in real life. Based on the number of resources PM calculates and plan the communication. The reverse is not possible w.r.t. project management. I would never expect a scenario, where a PM would get Communication channels to find out how much resource he has that he already knows and manages.
Thanks Saket, the question came to me as I was trying to solve the equation trying to find n. I guess I wanted to cover my bases in case a question would come up in the exam.
I do agree with your explaination though that based on the mathematical equation it may be unlikely that a question may pop up in the exam.
sspawar
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 05:33
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Hit and trial
10= n(n-1)/2
20 = n^2 -n
n^2- n - 20 = 0------eq1
Standard Eqn => a.n^2 + b.n +c = 0
In asked question's eq1 a = 1, b = -1, c= -20
Use a formula
n = [-b+/-{(b^2 -4ac}]^1/2] / 2a (it is nothing but elementary maths quadratic eqn)
n = [1+/-{(-1^2 -(4.1.-20)}]^1/2] / 2.1
n = [ 1+/-{81}^1/2] / 2
n = [1+9]/2 or [1-9]/2
eliminate minus value
n = 5
or
Hit and trial method
put n = 1,2,3,4,5,6 in the channel equation and check when
eqn n(n-1)/2 = gives desired channel number
1(1-1)/2 =0
2(2-1)/2=1
3(3-1)/2=3
4(4-1)/2=6
5(5-1)/2=10 ------- desired channel number is 10 hence value of n will be = 5.
I think second one is easy.
Hylton
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 06:03
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Thanks
Thanks SS, the second option/method may be better for the exam for small no.'s at least. Thanks again, much appreciated!
tobi
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 05:49
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Use the Choices to your Advantage
Should this kind of math question pop up in the PMP exam, use the choices to your advantage. At the most, you will do only 4 substitutions to the formula in case the number of communication channel given is of big value, say 100. It's more logical and quicker than using the quadratic equation or thinking of a value for trial and error. But for the sake of just knowing how to calculate it (educational purposes), you can follow the above solutions by sspawar.
Tobi
Hylton
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 06:04
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Good tip!
Thanks for the tip Tobi!
Hylton
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 06:12
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Question
Hi SS & Tobi
The initial question is from Oiver Lehmann:
In order to speed up a project, you made a decision to fast-track a phase currently performed with five team members, and another one which was planned to begin in four weeks time with another five team members.
Which of the following activities should you do first?
a. Make sure that all exit criteria of the consecutive phase have been met to ensure the flow of communications in a team situation which is more complex by a factor of 2.
b. Make sure that all entry criteria of the previous phase have been met by planning and performing a phase gate meeting to assess technical aptness.
c. Make sure that all exit criteria of the previous phase have been met by planning and performing a phase gate meeting to assess technical performance.
d. Restructure your team and delegate tasks in order to ensure the flow of communications in a team with the number of communication channels increased by a factor of 4.5.
sspawar
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 06:24
Permalink
Try 4 options
Shortest and easy one :
only trying 4 given options will resolve the problem
Put one by one all 4 options, correct one will match with the desired number of chsnnels.
Hylton
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 23:18
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Thanks SS
Thanks SS
tobi
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 06:27
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Another comm. channel question
Adding more members increases your communication channel.
At the current phase n= 5, so the channel = 10.
At the another phase involves additional of 5 new members, n=10, so channel will be 45
Since the new channel (45) is greater than the current channel (10) by a factor of 4.5 (45/10), my choice is D.
sspawar
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 06:34
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yes
for this new q answer will be D as stated by TOBI.
Hylton
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 23:19
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Thanks
Thanks for the explaination Tobi!
alu2008pmi
Sat, 07/14/2012 - 18:29
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They are two independent
They are two independent teams reporting to the same PM. The problem does not say that the 2 teams communicate..they are working in parallel (fast tracked)
Each team has 5 members. Counting the PM , that is 6 members
So channels = 6 x 5/2 = 15
For other team reporting to the same PM, it is again 15 channels.
So, number of channels should go up by a factor of 2 in my opinion.
Best!
A Lu
saket_pmp
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 09:31
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I do not expect such mathematical
I do not expect such mathematical question in real PMP exam. PMP exam if for PM and his duties in real life. Based on the number of resources PM calculates and plan the communication. The reverse is not possible w.r.t. project management. I would never expect a scenario, where a PM would get Communication channels to find out how much resource he has that he already knows and manages.
Saket, PMP
Hylton
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 23:25
Permalink
Thanks
Thanks Saket, the question came to me as I was trying to solve the equation trying to find n. I guess I wanted to cover my bases in case a question would come up in the exam.
I do agree with your explaination though that based on the mathematical equation it may be unlikely that a question may pop up in the exam.
Regards