PROJECT MANAGEMENT

 

Project Management challenges members to demonstrate their understanding of key project management concepts through an objective test. This event covers topics such as project planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, stakeholder communication, and the use of project management methodologies in business environments.

Event Overview

Division: Collegiate
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes

Educational Alignments

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened Pencil, Computer, Conference-provided nametag, Photo identification, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code.

Items FBLA Must Provide: Test login information link & password.

Knowledge Areas

• Foundational Knowledge
• Initiating and planning a Project
• Executing, Monitoring, and Controlling a Project
• Risk and Quality Management
• Stakeholder Communication and Knowledge Transfer
• Closing a Project

Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1st of the current program year.

·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.

·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.

·         Each chapter may submit six students in this event.

·         On the state level, each member can compete in up to three different events in the following combinations: three objective tests OR two objective tests and one presentation OR two objective tests and one production or one objective test and two production OR one objective test, one presentation, and one production. Students may enter the Christopher Heider, Rob Kelleher, Who’s Who event, and one Chapter event (Community Service, State of the Chapter) in addition to their above chosen events.

·         Picture identification (physical or digital: driver’s license, passport, state-issued identification, or school-issued identification) matching the conference nametag is required when checking in for competitive events.

·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.

·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 4.

Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered prior to the SLC.

·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.

·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site; online calculators will be provided through the testing software.

Scoring

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.
· Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·        Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If competing at the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/collegiate/competitive-events/


Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives

This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation 

MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly.

Foundational Knowledge (15 test items)  

  1. Explain the nature of project management (OP:158, LAP-OP-158) (SP)  

  2. Describe the role of ethics in project management (OP:675, LAP-OP-675) (SP)  

  3. Discuss the role and responsibilities of project managers (PD:181) (SP)  

  4. Explain the nature of change management (SM:095) (SP)  

  5. Describe the nature of quality management frameworks (e.g., Six Sigma, ITIL, CMMI) (QM:002) (SP)  

Initiating and Planning a Project (20 test items)  

  1. Initiate project (PJ:005) (SP)  

  2. Identify resources needed for project (OP:003, LAP-OP-003) (SP)  

  3. Develop project plan (OP:001, LAP-OP-001) (SP)  

  4. Prepare work breakdown structure (WBS) (PJ:006) (SP)  

  5. Manage project schedule (PJ:010) (SP)  

  6. Explain managerial considerations in organizing (SM:064, LAP-SM-064) (SP)  

  7. Develop expense control plans (OP:029) (MN)  

Executing, Monitoring, and Controlling a Project (20 test items)  

  1. Execute and control projects (PJ:009) (SP)  

  2. Manage project team (PJ:007) (SP)  

  3. Organize and track project resources (OP:357) (SP)  Apply project-management tools to monitor and communicate project progress (OP:002) (SP)  

  4. Monitor and ensure completion of delegated tasks (OP:354) (SP)  

  5. Determine the components of operational control procedures for a business (OP:464) (MN)  

  6. Describe the nature of managerial control (control process, types of control, what is controlled) (SM:004, LAP-SM-004) (SP)  

  7. Use budgets to control operations (OP:030) (MN)  

    Risk and Quality Management (20 test items)  

    1. Explain the role of ethics in risk management (RM:041, LAP-RM-041) (SP)  

      2. Assess task risks (RM:095) (MN)  

      3. Assess business risks (RM:094) (MN)  

      4. Integrate risk management into business operations (RM:057) (MN)  

      5. Develop risk-management plan (RM:090) (MN)  

      6. Identify quality-control measures (OP:163, LAP-OP-163) (SP)  

      7. Determine reliability factors impacting the quality of a product/service (QM:006) (MN)  

    2. Develop a plan/program for quality achievement (QM:005) (MN)  

      Stakeholder Communication and Knowledge Transfer (15 test items)  

      1. Utilize project-management software (NF:130) (SP)  

      2. Write analytical reports (i.e., reports that examine a problem/issue and recommend an action) (CO:185) (SP)  

      3. Write research reports (CO:186) (SP)  

      4. Explain the use of technology in knowledge management (KM:003) (SP)  

      5. Identify techniques that can be used to capture and transfer knowledge in an organization (KM:005) (SP)  

      6. Apply knowledge management processes (KM:018) (SP)  

      Closing a Project (10 test items)  

      1. Evaluate project results (OP:159) (SP)  

      2. Close project (PJ:008) (SP)  

      3. Determine whether goals/objectives were met (PJ:077) (MN)  

      4. Document lessons learned (PJ:079) (MN)