PROJECT MANAGEMENT INTERVIEW QUESTION AND ANSWERS

Top 25 Project Management Interview Question and Answers in 2020

When you reach a high level in the project management field you must have gained a sound experience of the industry, with employers, and various projects and teams. Still an efficient project manager always looks for more resources, information and understanding of latest methodologies.

 

Here we are going to discuss the top 25 interview questions and answers for project managers that will help PMP aspirants and project professionals to understand more about the requirements and how you can get through interviews. This blog will give you an idea about the most frequently asked project management interview questions.

 

Now let’s start with the PM interview questions,

 

We begin our series of project management interview questions and answers with IT project manager interview questions.

This set of project management interview questions is a collaboration of management, technical and other skills.

 

Set – 1 - Project Management Interview Questions:

 

1. Differentiate between Project, Program, and Portfolio?

 

Project: A project is an effort taken to produce a unique product or a solution. It is generally temporary in nature with a distinct start and endpoint. A project always has a defined scope with limited changes.

 

Program: A program is a combination of interrelated projects that are managed together. It is also temporary in nature but persists longer as compared to the project. It has a wide scope that can be changed as per the client requirement from time to time.

Portfolio: A portfolio is a group of projects and operations that succeeded under one group to accomplish an intentional goal. It is always permanent in nature and associated with strategic planning. It trails the enduring processes that order and align the portfolio to attain planned objectives. It has an extensive scope with the calculated perspective of the entire organization.

 

2. Define the term Project Management?

 

This is a frequently asked project management interview question for project managers and it can be answered as below.

Project management is the method that aids in applying numerous processes, tactics, acquaintance, skills, and understanding for achieving the objectives of a project.

Project management cannot be compared with the usual management. The important factor that distinguishes these two is, project management has a timeline and deliverables while routine management is an ongoing procedure.

 

3. Explain the Project Management Life Cycle Process?

 

The Project Management Life Cycle is an arrangement of more than a few tasks that are vital for accomplishing project objectives. These benefit in organizing efforts and shortening them into a sequence of logical and manageable stages. The Project Management Life Cycle contains four phases which as below:

Project Initiation: It is the most important stage of the project management life cycle because it decides the initial scope of the project and resources.

 

Project Planning: In this stage of project management, a right level of aspect is used for the project to maneuver time, cost, and employees. It estimates the work required and achieves risk efficiently.

 

Project Execution:  In this stage, all the decided and planned work is executed in the defined timeline of the project management plan. It works mainly on accomplishing the project’s purposes. It also embraces pursuing, revising, and controlling the performance of the project.

 

Project Closure: This is the final stage of the project where all the activities performed to finalize the project work. This stage accomplishes all the work from all groups in the project. In this stage the project manager signs off the project closure report with the customer or client.  

 

4. List down the important skills that a Project Manager should have?

The skills like, Communication, Leadership, Team Management, Negotiation, Individual organization, and Risk Management are the important skills that a Project Manager must possess.

 

5. How would you take responsibility as a new project manager?

This is the skill and experience based project management interview question for project managers. Let’s see the precise answer to it. Listen and understand the client’s requirements. Knowing the project team and their personality is important. Learn new skills related to the project. Be a helpful project manager. Explain about your expertise in the project management tools used by your organization.

 

Set – 2 - Project Management Interview Questions:

 

6. How to prioritize multiple tasks in the project?

As everyone knows there are multiple tasks in the project every day. So it is important to know how a project manager prioritizes the multiple project tasks. This procedure or skill helps in achieving the project completion in defined time and budget. Let’s see below how to prioritize the work in the project.

• List the responsibilities and accountabilities
• Prioritize between vigorous and significant
• Do assessment of every task in the project
• Prioritize the responsibilities by assessed efforts
• Stay agile and ready to collect updates and say NO whenever essential.

This is the most frequently asked project management interview question asked during the project manager interview session.

 

7. What is an ideal project from your point of view?

The answer to the above question may be different as per individual’s interest, creativity, domain interest, work pressure handling capability, comfort, team friendliness, and many other factors. Form your answer taking your experiences and way of working into consideration.

 

8. Explain the procedures and process sets used in the project management framework?

The various procedures and process sets are an important part of the project management framework. This helps the team to perform the tasks as per the schedules to accomplish the entire project tasks in the decided time and budget. The project management framework consists of 49 procedures. All these procedures are done in a sequence. There are five process sets that are, Initiation, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Control, and Closing. All these five procedure sets are mapped with 49 procedures and 10 project management knowledge areas.

 

9. Tell me the project management knowledge areas and how pertinent are they in a project?

Knowledge areas are essential technical areas and are important for effective project management of any project.

Below are the 10 knowledge areas of project management framework:

• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Schedule Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Resource Management
• Project Communications Management
• Project Risk Management
• Project Procurement Management
• Project Stakeholder Management

 

10. How to manage a challenging client involved in the project?

Since the client or stakeholder holds the authority and final passing of any stage of a project, it is very important that the stakeholder passes the stage or approves the final procedure of completion of the project report. Many times the stakeholders are good but what if you are dealing with a tough and unmanageable stakeholder? So below we will see how to handle a challenging stakeholder.

• Consent their authority without argument
• Remove all the negative or pre-assumptions about the stakeholder
• Try to understand their issue or requirement precisely
• Request for advice and listen to them
• Be thoughtful and open with your decisions
• Admire them and try to create the connection
• Work on your communication skills

 

Set - 3 - Project Management Interview Questions:

 

11. What is RAID? How to use it in Project Management?

The word RAID in project management can be elaborated as Risk, Assumptions, Issue, and Dependencies. These are very significant substances that a project manager must have an understanding of.

 

12. What will you do as a project manager to accomplish the project in a given timeline when the project goes off the track?

To check whether your project is on track you must follow the following steps and keep checking them from time to time.

• Keep checking the project budget is under control or exceeding
• Is any stage of the project life cycle taking too much time?
• Frequent checking of the project scope?
• Project goals are on track?

If the answers to these pointers are as per the expectations then you can say that the project is on track otherwise you must do the tasks to get the project on track.

 

13. Which project management practice to be used in the projects?

One cannot apply a single methodology to all types of projects. The application of project management practice must be based on the following criteria:

• Planned goals and core values of the organization
• Significant business drivers of your project
• Limitations in the project
• Stakeholders related to the project
• Possible risks that might occur
• Level of complication of the project
• Projected size and cost of the project

 

14. Tell me the project management tools mostly used for refining the process activities in a project?

The major project management tools used in the industry are,

• Comparing and Base lining a Process
• Flow-charting
• Value-Stream Mapping
• Cause and Effect Analysis
• Hypothesis Testing

 

Most Popular and High Paying Project Management Certifications:

PMP® Certification

PRINCE2® Foundation

CAPM® Certified Associate Project Management

PRINCE2® Practitioner

PRINCE2® Foundation Practitioner

PgMP® Exam Prep training

 

 

15. How to deal with the team members who are not working to their fullest talent or potential?

To make the best out of your team members, you must do the following,

• Try to avoid emotional confrontations with the team or stakeholders
• Encourage the team to think and perform in their ways
• Encourage your team members in emerging their decision-making abilities
• Improve their performance patience threshold
• Reinforce the potential of weak employees by providing them the learning opportunities
• Recognize motivating activities for your employees
• Organize a suitable follow-up process
• Rewards and appreciation are encouraging activities to boost employee performance

 

Set - 4 - Project Management Interview Questions:

PMP Vs PRINCE2 – Which One is Better for Project Professionals?

PMP Vs PRINCE2 – Which One is Better for Project Professionals?

 

Every project management certification has its own value across various industries, all around the globe. Professional certification courses propel the employees as it helps their expert development while adding credibility to their resume,  this consequently gives the motivation to invest in certifications like PMP and PRINCE2. Project management certifications are a step towards enhancing your professional skills, knowledge, and opening doors for new job opportunities.

 

Why do you need Project Management Certification?

 

Project Managers with an industry-perceived certification have the edge over non-certified PM experts. Getting certified gives industry acknowledgment and picking the correct project management certification will assist you to gain recognition globally over any industry and sector.

 

What are the best Project Management courses?

 

The most well-known project management certification you may as of now be thinking about is PMP (Project Management Professional) and PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments). To realize which one's going to suit your requirements, let us see each in more detail.

 

PMP Certification or PRINCE2 Certification – Which is right for your career?

 

To make this decision, let’s know about these certifications individually first.

 

What is PRINCE2 certification?

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is an organized project management accreditation and expert certification program. PRINCE2 concentrates on dividing projects into reasonable and controllable stages. PRINCE2 Project Management is a process-based methodology for every project irrespective of size and nature. Getting PRINCE2 certified opens doors for greater job opportunities

There are two different PRINCE2 levels:

• PRINCE2 Foundation certification
• PRINCE2 practitioner

PRINCE 2 Foundation - PRINCE2 Foundation is an entry-level certification and focuses on basic principles, themes and procedures of project management.

PRINCE2 Practitioner- PRINCE2 Practitioner certification provides a deeper insight into the PRINCE2 methods and procedures and also familiarizes the aspirants with core principles and key areas.

 

What is PMP Certification?

PMP certification is a well-known project management certification course for project managers. It teaches the professional skills, the knowledge required to lead, and direct projects. Project Management Professional certification was developed in 1984 by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

It is recognized worldwide. PMI obtained ISO/ICE 17024 in the year 2007 for PMP certification which gives it credibility in more than 85 countries.

 

Who qualifies for the PMP and PRINCE2 exam?

PRINCE2 Qualifications:

To take up prince2 project management course the candidates must fulfill certain requirements:

PRINCE2 foundation- There are no predefined qualifications or requirements that have to be fulfilled by the aspirants to take up the PRINCE2 foundation course.

PRINCE2 practitioner certification- The PRINCE2 prerequisites that every  prince2 practitioner are expected to fulfill is, they must be certified in at least one of the following courses:

 

• PRINCE2 Foundation course
• PMP
• CAPM
• IPMA Level A
• IPMA Level B
• IPMA Level C
• IPMA Level D

 

PMP Qualification:

PMP certification has numerous requirements that a candidate is expected to fulfill to take up the PMP exam.

• Secondary degree (diploma, associate degree or any global equivalent)
• The aspirant should have at least 5 years of experience in project management.
• The aspirant should have 35 hours of education in project management.
• 7500 hours of experience is needed as a leader or director of any project.

Or

• The aspirant should hold 4 year degree
• Project management experience for 4 years.
• The aspirant should have 35 hours of education in project management.
• 4500 hours of experience is needed as a leader or director of any project.

 

PRINCE2 Exam Details:

 

PRINCE2 Foundation Exam:

• PRINCE2 Foundation exam is an online exam
• It consists of 60 multiple choice questions, each question carrying one mark.
• The candidates will have 60 mins time to complete the exam.
• The candidate should answer a minimum of 33 questions to pass the exam.

PRINCE2 Practitioner Exam:

• The online exam which consists of 68 multiple choice questions, each question carrying one mark.
• The candidates will have 150 mins time to complete the exam.
• The candidate should answer a minimum of 38 questions to pass the exam.

 

PMP Exam Details:

PMP Project Management Professional:

1. The PMP certification is obtained by taking up a written exam. The exam pattern is:
2. 200 MCQs will be Continue Reading

TOP 20 REASONS YOU SHOULD GET A CISSP CERTIFICATION

Top 20 Reasons to Get CISSP Certification in 2020

 

A Brief Intro

Due to the rising cyber threats currently in the world, cybersecurity is under a huge consideration. Threats like Phishing, D-DoS, in-house data breaches, and other forms of effective data breach principles are on the rise. However, the breach of personal information is decreasing and the breach of personal credentials is increasing which in turn leads to a huge demand in the data/IT security industries. The very first step for you to get into this high paid industry is by getting yourself a certified information systems security professional (CISSP) Certification.

 

What is the CISSP Certification?

 

Taking up the information system certification or CISSP course is like a PR certificate, it gives you the freedom of opportunity to lead and succeed with the relevant skill set and knowledge to meet the demand of the cybersecurity industry.  It shows that you have a deep sense of understanding of not just existing threats, but also on the emerging ones. Plus, you become a well-versed professional with relevant techniques for the prevention of any major catastrophic threats.

According to the International Information of System (ISC)2, this certification is a vendor/institute-neutral program offered by the few of the accredited institutes across the globe. The CISSP course/CISSP training is offered to gain experience, skills, and the ability to design, develop, implement, and maintain the overall information security programs for the protection and the welfare of the organization.

 

20 Compelling Reasons for you to get your CISSP Certification 

 

            Security professionals are like the oxygen of information systems in any organization. And the CISSP certification is like a purifier, it puts the professionals in a different league from other security professionals with their remarkable in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience.

Here, in this blog, we are mainly focusing on the advantages/reasons for you to get your CISSP certification done. While there are several reasons to name, we are going to narrow it down to the 20 of them. Further, as this certification is advantages for both the employees and the employers, we will shortlist 10 reasons among each.

  So, firstly we’ll start with the security professionals/employees

1. To pursue a successful IT Career

Many of the professionals and freshers during their ongoing IT carries will pursue the training for additional benefits.

2. Higher mobility potential

Once you are a certified security professional then you pretty much have many options to work for.

3. Higher salary options with better job opportunities

This industry might perhaps be the only industry that doesn’t have an unemployment crisis. With the huge demand, the CISSP salary of these professionals is skyrocketing.

4. IT security and privacy competence

One must be prepared to follow the suite of the latest trends and challenges that are facing the organizations and to resolve them.

5. To gain the expertise needed

No matter how skilled you are and through how many years of tangling experience you have, the companies expect the documented proof of what you do.

6. Convenience in getting the certification

By meeting the specified education and experience required, one can qualify for the certification. But if you enroll in an IT certification training institute you are more likely to pass.

7. Globally recognized certification

The standards for most of the cybersecurity certifications are set for global computability, so this credential will remain to stay valid wherever you take your carries path across the world.

8. To stay updated and ahead of time

Companies often lookout for professionals to act fast and take the most appropriate measures to tackle the rising wave of threats.

9. Understanding the need for compliance

With a proper understanding of litigation, laws, and privacy, one could provide the best protocols that are required for the employers.

10. To be an outstanding expert

Getting your CISA, CISM, CISSA, etc. certification has the potential to boost your salary with long term benefits.

 

Advantages of CISSP certification for employers or organizations:

 

• It will increase the goodwill and credibility of the organization amongst its clients
• Validates the organization's responsibilities in securing the information system
• It can bring the employees across the globe under one roof under the same ideologies
• Satisfies the mandate requirement of certification of service providers or subcontractors and increases business relations and profits
• Helps in protecting the classified business information
• Helps in securing the privacy of customers
• Helps in analyzing potential risks and to put in a defense system
• To operate under the laws of local governing bodies
• To understand disaster recovery techniques
• In structuring security policies, protocols, processes, etc. related to the information system.

Businesses and professionals can see tremendous benefits with the CISSP certification program at Sprintzeal. And, maybe that’s why every year thousands of aspirants apply and hundreds of corporates tie-up with us for technology and management related courses.

CISSP® CERTIFICATION – BECOMING INFORMATION SECURITY EXPERT

BECOMING INFORMATION SECURITY EXPERT WITH CISSP® CERTIFICATION

 

CISSP stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification is a world-renowned certification being offered by the (ISC)2 that is, International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium.

 

In the CISSP certification course, a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and ability are evaluated in all the sections of information security. CISSP certified professionals are hired to design, implement, control, and manage a secure business environment.

 

It is not easy to crack your way through the CISSP exam as there is an 80% failure rate in the CISSP exam. There are only 94,000 CISSP certified professionals in 149 countries where the CISSP certification is offered.

 

CISSP is the first-ever certification in the field of information system security. With the standards of ISO/IEC 17024 and ANSI ISO/IEC 17024:2003 accredited.

 

The CISSP certification has become an international benchmark for information system security professionals. It has also received approval from the Information Assurance Managerial (IAM) department and Information Assurance Technical (IAT) department of the U.S. Department of defense and is regarded as the foundation for U.S. National Security Agency ISSEP program.

 

Let’s talk about concepts covered in this world-renowned certification course.

 

CISSP CERTIFICATION CONCEPTS:

 

The CISSP certification training consists of the following concepts and topics:

 

• Cryptography
• Access control systems
• Security management practices
• Asset security
• Identify and access management
• Security engineering
• Security and risk management
• Security operations
• Communications and network security
• Security assessment and testing
• Disaster recovery and business continuity plans
• Investigation laws and ethics

 

These domains cover all aspects of information security systems. All these above-mentioned topics are also explained in CBK – Common Body of Knowledge which comes in handy for self-study.

 

Suggested Resource – COBIT® Certification Training

 

 

CISSP ELIGIBILITY AND EXAMINATION:

 

Eligibility criteria to appear for a CISSP exam are:

 

• Collective of five years of full-time work experience