NCARB Project-Management Exam - Topic 3 Question 2 Discussion

Actual exam question for NCARB's Project-Management exam

Question #: 2
Topic #: 3

A key Project Manager leaves an architectural firm halfway through a project. Several days of lost productivity pass while the new Project Manager determines the customized organization that the previous Project Manager used. The new Project Manager recommends implementing new office policies to create standards and quality control methods for the entire office.

Which methods should be implemented? Check the four that apply.

Areview current processes

Bstandardize work flow

Ccustomize work flow

Dmeasure performance

Eimprove quality continuously

Fchange the project delivery sequence

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: A, B, D, E

Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

Best practices in quality management include:

A . Reviewing existing methods to identify inefficiencies

B . Standardizing workflow to prevent variability and loss of knowledge

D . Measuring performance to track productivity and outcomes

E . Continuous improvement ensures the office adapts and grows

C is incorrect as customization contradicts standardization and is the root of the issue. F is a drastic step not warranted by the situation.

NCARB ARE 5.0 PjM Handbook -- Quality management and office standards

Ballast ARE 5 Review Manual -- Project Management tools and quality assurance

AIA Best Practices -- Office workflow documentation and training

by Alease at Oct 05, 2025, 10:00 AM

Limited Time Offer

25%

Off

Get Premium Project-Management Questions as Interactive Web-Based Practice Test or PDF

Contribute your Thoughts:

Submit Cancel

Wai

5 days ago

Continuous quality improvement is key!

upvoted 0 times

...

Apolonia

10 days ago

I feel like measuring performance should be a priority too.

upvoted 0 times

...

Margurite

16 days ago

Absolutely! Standardizing workflow is crucial.

upvoted 0 times

...

Nancey

21 days ago

Not sure changing everything is the right move. Feels risky.

upvoted 0 times

...

Junita

26 days ago

E is a must! Continuous improvement is key.

upvoted 0 times

...

Dino

1 month ago

Surprised they didn’t mention D. How can you improve without measuring?

upvoted 0 times

...

Ruby

1 month ago

I think C is a bad idea. We need consistency!

upvoted 0 times

...

Queenie

1 month ago

Definitely A and B should be on the list.

upvoted 0 times

...

Ira

2 months ago

Measuring performance sounds crucial, but I’m a bit confused about how that ties into improving quality continuously.

upvoted 0 times

...

Denny

2 months ago

I remember a practice question where we had to standardize workflow. It seems like a good idea to ensure consistency across projects.

upvoted 0 times

...

Dierdre

2 months ago

I think reviewing current processes is definitely important, but I'm not sure if we should customize the workflow again.

upvoted 0 times

...

Tomas

2 months ago

This situation is tough. I think we need to review current processes.

upvoted 0 times

...

Joseph

2 months ago

Haha, the previous Project Manager must have been a real maverick, huh? A, B, D, and E are the way to go – gotta love those quality control methods. Wouldn't want to end up with a project that's more of a dumpster fire than a work of art.

upvoted 0 times

...

Joseph

3 months ago

Changing the project delivery sequence could disrupt everything.

upvoted 0 times

...

Odette

3 months ago

I feel like changing the project delivery sequence might complicate things more than help. Standardizing seems safer.

upvoted 0 times

...

Cordelia

3 months ago

A, B, D, and E are the way to go. Standardizing workflows and measuring performance are key to getting this project back on track. Who needs a customized organization when you can have a well-oiled office?

upvoted 0 times

...

Adelle

3 months ago

I'd go with A, B, D, and E. Customizing workflows (C) might just create more chaos, and changing the project delivery sequence (F) seems a bit extreme.

upvoted 0 times

...

Marlon

4 months ago

Definitely A, B, D, and E. Gotta love those standardized workflows and quality control measures! Keeps the project running like a well-oiled machine.

upvoted 0 times

...

Roxane

4 months ago

A, B, D, E are the correct answers. The new Project Manager should focus on standardizing workflows, measuring performance, and continuously improving quality to create standards and quality control methods.

upvoted 0 times

...

Leontine

4 months ago

This is a good opportunity to implement some new policies and get the office running more efficiently. I'd go with reviewing current processes, standardizing workflow, measuring performance, and improving quality continuously.

upvoted 0 times

...

Marva

4 months ago

Changing the project delivery sequence seems risky, especially with a new Project Manager coming in. I'd focus more on the internal processes and quality control methods first.

upvoted 0 times

...

Detra

4 months ago

Definitely need to measure performance to see where the issues are. And continuous quality improvement is key, so I'd go with those two for sure.

upvoted 0 times

...

Viva

4 months ago

I'm a little confused about whether we should customize or standardize the workflow. Maybe a mix of both would work best - standardize the core processes but allow for some customization too.

upvoted 0 times

...

Fatima

5 months ago

Hmm, this seems like a tricky one. I'd start by reviewing the current processes to see what's working and what needs improvement. Standardizing the workflow could help create some consistency across the office.

upvoted 0 times

Ellsworth

2 months ago

I agree, reviewing current processes is essential.

upvoted 0 times

...