Project management assessment

Assessment

What is it?

The project management assessment evaluates a candidate’s understanding of project planning, execution, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Covering areas such as Agile methodologies, resource allocation, budgeting, and timeline management, this test ensures candidates have both theoretical knowledge and practical application skills. Through 20 timed, progressively challenging questions, it serves as an early knockout criterion for roles in project coordination, operations, and leadership.

How it works

The project management assessment begins with fundamental project management concepts and progresses to more advanced methodologies. In a 20-question format, this might look like:

  • Basic Level: questions assess knowledge of project phases, task prioritization, and scheduling techniques.
  • Intermediate Level: questions focus on risk assessment, budget forecasting, and Agile or Scrum principles.
  • Advanced Level: questions assess knowledge of stakeholder management, workflow optimization, and project management frameworks.

The test is timed, requiring candidates to demonstrate efficiency and accuracy in real-world project management scenarios where planning and execution are crucial.

Results and Benefits

The results of the project management assessment provide employers with a clear understanding of a candidate’s ability to oversee and complete projects successfully. High-performing candidates showcase expertise in project planning, team coordination, and risk mitigation, ensuring that only competent individuals progress in the selection process. This improves hiring decisions and enhances project outcomes.

When to use it

The project management assessment is best used early in the recruitment process for roles in operations, product development, and leadership. By using this test as a knockout criterion, employers can ensure that only candidates with strong project management expertise move forward. This assessment is particularly valuable in industries such as construction, IT, and consulting, where effective project execution is essential.

Example

Basic Level: Which of the following is the first phase in a project lifecycle?

a) Execution
b) Planning
c) Initiation
d) Monitoring

What tool is commonly used to track project timelines and tasks?

a) Gantt chart
b) SWOT analysis
c) Kanban board
d) Brainstorming session

Intermediate Level: Which methodology emphasizes iterative development and continuous feedback?

a) Waterfall
b) Agile
c) Six Sigma
d) PRINCE2

What is a critical factor in effective stakeholder management?

a) Ignoring feedback until project completion
b) Regular communication and updates
c) Avoiding project documentation
d) Limiting collaboration to upper management

Advanced Level: Which technique is commonly used for risk assessment in project management?

a) Monte Carlo simulation
b) SWOT analysis
c) Cost-benefit analysis
d) Fishbone diagram

Which project management framework is designed for managing large-scale and complex projects?

a) PRINCE2
b) Agile Scrum
c) Kanban
d) Lean Six Sigma