Project management
Project Management challenges members to demonstrate their understanding of key project management concepts through an objective test. This event covers areas such as planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and team coordination, reflecting the skills needed to successfully lead and execute projects in a business setting.
Event Overview
Division: High School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Management & Entrepreneurship
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Technology
Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Objective Test Competencies
· Foundational Knowledge
· Initiating and Planning a Project
· Executing, Monitoring, and Controlling a Project
· Closing a Project
· Channels of Distribution
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.
District
Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· 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 district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
· Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID
· 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 5.
Event Administration
· This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
· No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
· No calculators may be brought into the testing site.
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 you are competing at the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/
Study Guide: Competencies and Tasks
This study guide shows the skills and knowledge you’ll be tested on for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are based on the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives also reference MBA Research's Learning Activity Packages (LAPs)—resources with readings, activities, and assessments to help you learn. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA.
Foundational Knowledge (10 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)
Initiating and Planning a Project (40 test items)
1. Initiate project (PJ:005) (SP)
2. Determine stakeholder expectations (EI:113) (MN)
3. Organize and prioritize work (OP:228) (CS)
4. Identify resources needed for project (OP:003, LAP-OP-003) (SP)
5. Prepare work breakdown structure (WBS) (PJ:006) (SP)
6. Create calendar/schedule (NF:164) (CS)
7. Identify quality-control measures (OP:163, LAP-OP-163) (SP)
8. Develop communications plan (CO:198) (SP)
9. Develop risk-management plan (RM:090) (MN)
10. Develop project plan (OP:001, LAP-OP-001) (SP)
11. Utilize project-management software (NF:130) (SP)
Executing, Monitoring, and Controlling a Project (30 test items)
1. Execute and control projects (PJ:009) (SP)
2. Monitor projects and take corrective actions (OP:520, LAP-OP-520) (CS)
3. Coordinate work with that of team members (OP:230) (CS)
4. Coordinate efforts of cross-functional teams to achieve project/company goals (HR:387) (SU)
5. Motivate team members (EI:059, LAP-EI-059) (SP)
6. Manage project team (PJ:007) (SP)
7. Manage project schedule (PJ:010) (SP)
8. Organize and track project resources (OP:357) (SP)
9. Apply project-management tools to monitor and communicate project progress (OP:002) (SP)
Closing a Project (20 test items)
1. Evaluate project results (OP:159) (SP)
2. Recognize/Reward others for their efforts and contributions (EI:014, LAP-EI-141) (SP)
3. Determine whether goals/objectives were met (PJ:077) (MN)
4. Document lessons learned (PJ:079) (MN)
5. Close project (PJ:008) (SP)