Csis Exam® Sample Questions

Business developmentWhat does the “W” in SWOT stand for? 

• Wages

• Workload

• Worthiness

• Weaknesses

Business and Corporate TerminologyAn arrangement between two or more people, companies, countries etc; contract, usually in writing, can be between two or more parties is called an _______________.

Logical Reasoning The greatest weakness in the American space shuttle program was the O-Ring system in the rocket boosters. The solid rocket boosters were manufactured in ring-like fragments which had to be attached and sealed to prevent hot gases from escaping during takeoff. A system of O-Rings made from a rubbery material was developed to accomplish this goal. The O-Rings were supposed to expand or contract depending on circumstances, but were fatally flawed at a design level. The rubbery material would not expand in low temperatures and almost led to the loss of a shuttle on several occasions. Engineers who recognized the problem were ignored and NASA judged the risk acceptable. Eventually, the Challenger space shuttle exploded a few seconds after take off due to the O-Ring failure. The crew were likely not killed in the explosion, but died after the crew cabin plummeted into the ocean. The engineer who had tried to stop the launch and warned that the shuttle would explode was fired after his public testimony exposed the truth.Based only on information in the passage decide whether the following statement is true, false or it cannot be determined:If the Solid Rocket booster had been built as one single item, risk of catastrophe would have been very low.

• True

• False

• Cannot say

Project ManagementYou are explaining to a junior engineer the difference between a project and operations. Which one of the following is true only of operations?

• They are performed by people.

• They are constrained by limited resources.

• They are ongoing.

• They are planned, executed, and controlled.

Industry Awareness (example from the CSIS Exam® in Chemistry)Name up to three key companies in the chemistry industry and expand on one of them:

Communication CaseYou are working in an international company as team manager. Your team is supposed to provide the accounting department with some financial data regarding your project. You delegated the job among three of your team members. A few hours before the deadline however you see that the one of the team members has not done his job, as he does not fully understand basics of accounting, however is a very good performer in other fields. You are responsible for delivering the data to the accounting department. Write an email to your direct supervisor addressing the issue.