Professional Responsibility Practice Questions

Answer Rationale
1.

Answer option b. To "Reject the estimate and remove the functional manager from the
project" (answer option a.) would be disrespectful of the manager, as would questioning
"each functional manager for information about this estimate" (option d.). If you were to
"Accept the estimate and plan to use the additional funding as a reserve" (option c.), you
would be irresponsible. The only reasonable answer is "Request the supporting details
for the estimate to ensure it has been properly prepared," option b.

2.

Answer option c. This question concerns both Responsibility and Respect, two of the four
"pillars" of PMI's Code of Ethics. To the first pillar, "Your company code of conduct clearly
states that you cannot accept gifts from any client." And to the second, "Failure to accept
the gift from this client may cause grave offence." It is an unwritten fact that PMI
encourages slow, cautious movements. The emphasis is always on what you should do
first. In this matter, you are caught between two competing demands - respect for the
customer, and responsibility in upholding the company's code of conduct. The best of the
four options is to escalate the matter to "your Project Sponsor and /or your legal or public
relations group."

3.

Answer option b. This question concerns both Fairness and Respect, two of the four
"pillars" of PMI's Code of Ethics. It is in accord with Fairness, in that you are requesting
acknowledgement of the effort you will invest in writing the paper. It is in accord with
Respect, as well, in that you are requesting such acknowledgement, not demanding it,
and you are not broadcasting the issue by going "over the head" of your Project Sponsor
to seek advice from others. A measure of respect is also accorded to your Project Sponsor
by not electing to "refuse to follow instructions."

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4.

Answer option c. "Accepting gifts in exchange for favoring one contractor over another"
is a clear case of bribery. In PMI's view, bribery always unethical.

5.

Answer option b. The best way to approach questions that are clearly Code of Ethics
question is to first analyze the question and the answer options from the perspectives of
the four pillars of the code - Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, and Honesty - and then
make your decision. In this problem, to "let the schedule slip and inform the customer"
would be irresponsible as a Project Manager and disrespectful to the customer. To "make
the employees cancel their vacation plans and work overtime" would be unfair to the
employees. And to "hire temporary employees for the overtime" would be an extreme
knee-jerk reaction that might be avoided; it may come to hiring temporary employees. For
now, however, option b., "First give the employees the choice of working overtime," is a
reasonable first step. Being responsible - in PMI's view - is to take one step at a time.

6.

Answer option b. There should be no question that answer option b., "Use of
confidential information to advance your position or influence a critical decision," is
clearly a violation of the PMP Professional Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Doing so is an act of selfishness and possibly damaging to the company.

7.

Answer option b. If you were to "Provide everyone with an equal share" (answer
option a.), you be unfair to those who worked harder and performed better than the
one team member who "performed poorly on your project." If you were to "Ask the
workers to decide among themselves how the bonus should be subdivided" (option c.),
you might be acting irresponsibly by relinquishing a duty, or responsibility, that many
would consider as appropriate to the position of Project Manager. Regarding option
d., your Sponsor has already entrusted the task to you; to seek to return it to the
Sponsor could be a sign of disrespect. The best course of action is to "Provide everyone
a share based upon their performance" (option b.).

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8.

Answer option b. A "violation of an established rule or policy" requires action on the part
of the Project Manager other than option a. ("Determine the risks associated with the
violation") or option c. ("Ignore the violation until it actually affects the project results).
Both of these actions are inappropriate in that one (option a.) implies that the Project
Manager might consider ignoring the violation altogether if it were determined to be low
risk, and the other (option c.) indicates that the Project Manager takes the violation lightly,
something that can be ignored at least until "it actually affects the project results." The
problem with option d. is that the response to the violation (as well as the review) is an
action that should probably be taken by higher authorities within the organization. The
Project Manager's most appropriate response here, and his or her first step, is to "ensure
there is a reasonably clear and factual basis for reporting the violation."

9.

Answer option d. It would be dishonest to tell no one of your conflict of interest, so

answer option
a. can be eliminated. It should also be kept in mind that PMI's cautious and careful way of
thinking is all about "baby steps" and proper sequence - what you should do first. Option
d., "Inform your Project Sponsor and ask for his advice," is not only the first step that
should be taken it also shows considerable respect for senior management. At the end of
the day, it may come to options b. or c., your removal from one or both of the projects,
but the right thing to do at the start, in PMI's mind, would be to defer to management's
judgment in this matter.

10.

Answer option a. Two answer options may be eliminated immediately. Answer option
b., "Do nothing because the risk is very low," is irresponsible; any danger at all warrants a
response. Option c., "Tell the public there is no problem." would be dishonest. In the
end, the right thing to do might be to "Advise the public not to use the water for drinking
until further notice" (option d.) but first, before you take that drastic action (which could
cause some panic among the public), perhaps the baby step to be taken, the responsible
first thing to do, is to "Order a detailed examination to determine the extent to which the
problem exists and keep the public fully informed of the situation," answer option a.

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