ARE 5.0 - PCM - Section 1 - Business Operations Test with
all Correct & 100% Verified Answers |Latest Version |
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What are some staffing benefits of a firm working on similar project types? ✔Correct Answer-
Staffing Plans are easy as the staff is familiar with the work type
Determining fees are easy as a review of the accounting System and actual hours spent will be
similar to what is needed for the project type
Tracking how much time was spent or is needed will be easier
How should a staffing plan be approached for a new project type? ✔Correct Answer-Hire new
staff experienced in that type of building design
Consult with colleagues or peers for assistance
Set an hourly fee instead of a fixed fee
When is an hourly fee more beneficial then a fixed fee? ✔Correct Answer-When the project is
of an unfamiliar type
When there are challenges to the project the staff may not have worked on before
What characteristics should a project team have? ✔Correct Answer-Excellent communication
skills
Ability to stay focused and on track
Talent for overcoming challenges and obstacles as they arise
Experience in the project type
How is a project manager different from a staff member on a given project? ✔Correct
Answer-Staff member might not have every skill necessary to get the job done
A great project manager is not just bossing the team around, they will mentor and inspire the
team to do their best work
, Why wouldn't a project manager have every staff member working on the same project all at
once? ✔Correct Answer-The project fee might not be able to afford all of the staff working on
that project at once
Might sacrifice profit, although this would increase the quality of the project
This is an unnecessary burden to the Project Manager, when they should be focused on
providing quality service
What is 'Billing Back to the Client'? ✔Correct Answer-Hours billed directly to the client. This
billing rate is usually 3 times higher than an employees hourly rate
What is a typical multiplier used when determining the billing rate of a staff person?
✔Correct Answer-Multiply their hourly rate by 3 for small firms, or by 5 for large firms
Why is a staff person's hourly rate different from a billable rate? ✔Correct Answer-The billable
rate accounts for office overhead expenses including equipment and insurance as well as
covering the billable rate of the employee
Employee's Utilization Rate ✔Correct Answer-It is an employee's billable hours divided by the
total hours they've worked, then multiplied by 100 to get the percentage (%)
Who would have the highest utilization rate in an office? ✔Correct Answer-Junior Staff, as
higher level staff are expected to spend (unbillable) time handling firm operations
What are some factors to consider when comparing a project's design budget to the staff's
salaries? ✔Correct Answer-The cost of consultants needed for the project
The multiplier for the billing rate
How much time the principal will spend on this project as their rate is usually the highest
What the staffs utilization ratio for this project should be
What role does HR play in a small architecture firm? ✔Correct Answer-Typically the role of HR
will be performed by the managing principal or outside recruiter
Onboarding ✔Correct Answer-The process of integrating a new employee into the firm,
sometimes using an employee manual
At a small firm, the Managing Principal will take this on or office manager
At a medium size firm, an individual Manager would take responsibility of onboarding through a
formal process
all Correct & 100% Verified Answers |Latest Version |
Already Graded A+
What are some staffing benefits of a firm working on similar project types? ✔Correct Answer-
Staffing Plans are easy as the staff is familiar with the work type
Determining fees are easy as a review of the accounting System and actual hours spent will be
similar to what is needed for the project type
Tracking how much time was spent or is needed will be easier
How should a staffing plan be approached for a new project type? ✔Correct Answer-Hire new
staff experienced in that type of building design
Consult with colleagues or peers for assistance
Set an hourly fee instead of a fixed fee
When is an hourly fee more beneficial then a fixed fee? ✔Correct Answer-When the project is
of an unfamiliar type
When there are challenges to the project the staff may not have worked on before
What characteristics should a project team have? ✔Correct Answer-Excellent communication
skills
Ability to stay focused and on track
Talent for overcoming challenges and obstacles as they arise
Experience in the project type
How is a project manager different from a staff member on a given project? ✔Correct
Answer-Staff member might not have every skill necessary to get the job done
A great project manager is not just bossing the team around, they will mentor and inspire the
team to do their best work
, Why wouldn't a project manager have every staff member working on the same project all at
once? ✔Correct Answer-The project fee might not be able to afford all of the staff working on
that project at once
Might sacrifice profit, although this would increase the quality of the project
This is an unnecessary burden to the Project Manager, when they should be focused on
providing quality service
What is 'Billing Back to the Client'? ✔Correct Answer-Hours billed directly to the client. This
billing rate is usually 3 times higher than an employees hourly rate
What is a typical multiplier used when determining the billing rate of a staff person?
✔Correct Answer-Multiply their hourly rate by 3 for small firms, or by 5 for large firms
Why is a staff person's hourly rate different from a billable rate? ✔Correct Answer-The billable
rate accounts for office overhead expenses including equipment and insurance as well as
covering the billable rate of the employee
Employee's Utilization Rate ✔Correct Answer-It is an employee's billable hours divided by the
total hours they've worked, then multiplied by 100 to get the percentage (%)
Who would have the highest utilization rate in an office? ✔Correct Answer-Junior Staff, as
higher level staff are expected to spend (unbillable) time handling firm operations
What are some factors to consider when comparing a project's design budget to the staff's
salaries? ✔Correct Answer-The cost of consultants needed for the project
The multiplier for the billing rate
How much time the principal will spend on this project as their rate is usually the highest
What the staffs utilization ratio for this project should be
What role does HR play in a small architecture firm? ✔Correct Answer-Typically the role of HR
will be performed by the managing principal or outside recruiter
Onboarding ✔Correct Answer-The process of integrating a new employee into the firm,
sometimes using an employee manual
At a small firm, the Managing Principal will take this on or office manager
At a medium size firm, an individual Manager would take responsibility of onboarding through a
formal process
