Quality Management Tools and Techniques

Correct Answer: Root Cause Analysis

The recommended Quality Management Tool to use when a project manager identifies recurring problems across multiple projects in an organization's portfolio is 'Root Cause Analysis'. This tool is designed to facilitate the identification of the fundamental causes of the issues, rather than simply addressing the symptoms or immediate effects. Addressing the root causes results in effective problem elimination and sustainable solutions. Hence, 'Root Cause Analysis' is seen to be the most suitable in this situation. The other answers, 'Flowchart', 'Histogram' and 'Scatter Diagram', while useful Quality Management Tools, are not ideal for this situation. A 'Flowchart' is mainly used to represent a process or workflow and typically does not delve into identifying root causes of problems. A 'Histogram' is a graphical representation of the distribution of a dataset, it wouldn't effectively identify the root cause of an issue. A 'Scatter Diagram' is used to find a relationship between two variables, not to identify the root cause of problems.

Correct Answer: Flowchart

The correct answer is Flowchart. A flowchart is a visual representation of a process which the Project Manager wants to visualize for better understanding and to identify potential bottlenecks, Thus, using a flowchart will allow him or her to understand the entire process, and the interdependencies of the tasks involved in the process. Other options like Histogram, Scatter Diagram, and Pareto Chart don't provide a clear visualization of the steps involved in a process. Histogram is used to show the frequency of data points in bins, Scatter Diagram is used to find relationships between two variables, and Pareto Chart is used for prioritizing the cause of problems.

Correct Answer: integrity

The most appropriate course of action is to address the issue with the subcontractor and ensure project integrity. This aligns with the ethical principles outlined in the PMBOK Guide. Using substandard materials compromises the quality and safety of the building, which goes against the core values of project management. It is crucial to prioritize the integrity of the project over cost-cutting measures that could lead to potential risks and liabilities. The other options, while important considerations in project management, do not directly address the ethical dilemma at hand: - Profitability should not come at the expense of quality and safety. - Efficiency is important, but not when it involves using substandard materials. - Popularity is not a relevant factor in this situation, as the focus should be on delivering a safe and high-quality building.