CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Test 7 — 15 Questions

Question 1

A project team is conducting cost estimation for a project that uses a predictive lifecycle. They have historical data from similar projects. Which estimation technique is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Analogous estimating. Analogous estimating uses historical data from similar projects, making it the most appropriate technique for this scenario. Option B is correct.

Answer

Three-point estimating

Answer

Parametric estimating

Answer

Bottom-up estimating

Question 2

A project has four tasks with durations: A(4), B(6), C(3), D(5). Precedence: A before B, A before C, B and C before D. What is the float of activity B?

Accepted Answer

0. The critical path is A-B-D (15). B has no float because it's on the critical path. Option A is correct.

Answer

2

Answer

1

Answer

3

Question 3

A project manager is using a predictive approach to manage a project. During the execution phase, the team is working on deliverables. Which process group involves tracking, reviewing, and regulating progress against the plan?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring and Controlling Process Group. The Monitoring and Controlling Process Group involves tracking, reviewing, and regulating progress against the plan. Option A is correct because this process group ensures that project objectives are met by measuring performance and applying corrective actions. The Planning Process Group (B) establishes the scope and plan; the Executing Process Group (C) involves completing the work; and the Initiating Process Group (D) defines the project. Therefore, only Monitoring and Controlling fits the described activities.

Answer

Planning Process Group

Answer

Executing Process Group

Answer

Initiating Process Group

Question 4

A project manager is creating a project scope statement for a predictive project. Which element is typically included in the project scope statement?

Accepted Answer

Project constraints. Project constraints are typically included in the project scope statement. Option C is correct. The activity list is part of the schedule management plan, the risk register is part of risk management, and the work breakdown structure is a separate document that decomposes the scope into deliverables, not typically included in the scope statement itself.

Answer

Activity list

Answer

Risk register

Answer

Work breakdown structure

Question 5

In a predictive project, the project manager wants to ensure that the project team understands their roles and responsibilities. Which document is used to define roles and responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

Responsibility assignment matrix (RAM). The Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) is used to define roles and responsibilities. Option A is correct.

Answer

Work breakdown structure (WBS)

Answer

Resource breakdown structure (RBS)

Answer

Organizational breakdown structure (OBS)

Question 6

A project manager is evaluating the impact of a potential risk on project objectives. The risk has a probability of 0.3 and an impact of $50,000. What is the expected monetary value (EMV) of this risk?

Accepted Answer

$15,000. Expected monetary value is probability times impact, so $15,000. Option A is correct.

Answer

$50,000

Answer

$150,000

Answer

$1,500

Question 7

A project manager is using a predictive approach to create a WBS. Which TWO of the following are characteristics of a well-constructed WBS? (Select TWO)

Accepted Answer

The lowest level is a work package.. A well-constructed WBS decomposes project deliverables into work packages at the lowest level. Option A is correct because the lowest level is a work package. Option D is correct because each element of the WBS represents a single deliverable, ensuring clear accountability. Option B is incorrect because the WBS includes all project deliverables, not just the sponsor's. Option C is incorrect because the WBS is typically created collaboratively with the team. Option E is incorrect because each work package is assigned to a single responsible party.

Answer

The WBS includes only the deliverables of the project sponsor.

Answer

The WBS is created solely by the project manager.

Answer

Each work package is assigned to multiple departments.

Question 8

A project manager is using a predictive approach to manage project costs. Which THREE of the following are cost estimation techniques? (Select THREE)

Accepted Answer

Analogous estimating. Analogous, bottom-up, and parametric are cost estimation techniques. Options A, C, E are correct.

Answer

Earned value management

Answer

Cost-benefit analysis

Question 9

A project manager is performing qualitative risk analysis. Which TWO of the following are typical outputs of this process? (Select TWO)

Accepted Answer

Risk register updates. Qualitative risk analysis involves assessing the probability and impact of identified risks, resulting in updates to the risk register (including a list of prioritized risks) and a risk score for each risk. Option B (Risk register updates) and Option D (List of prioritized risks) are typical outputs. Option A (Quantitative risk analysis results) is an output of quantitative risk analysis, which is a separate process. Option C (Risk responses) are developed during the Plan Risk Responses process. Option E (Probability and impact matrix) is a tool used during qualitative risk analysis, not an output.

Answer

Quantitative risk analysis results

Answer

Risk responses

Answer

Probability and impact matrix

Question 10

A company is undertaking a new office building construction project using a predictive (waterfall) methodology. The project is in the planning phase. The project sponsor requires a cost estimate accurate within ±10% to secure funding. The project team has limited historical data because the company specializes in residential projects, and this is the first commercial high-rise they have attempted. The project manager has experience with parametric estimating but wonders if it is appropriate. Meanwhile, a senior team member suggests bottom-up estimating, but that would require detailed design, which is not yet complete. Another team member advocates three-point estimating to account for uncertainty. The project manager must choose the best estimation approach for the current phase given the constraints.

Accepted Answer

Use parametric estimating based on industry benchmarks for commercial construction.. Parametric estimating using industry benchmarks is the best option to achieve ±10% accuracy with limited data. Three-point estimating (A) is a technique for quantifying uncertainty but does not inherently improve accuracy without reliable inputs. Analogous estimating (B) from residential projects is not appropriate due to significant differences in scope and complexity. Bottom-up estimating (C) requires a detailed WBS and design, which are not yet available in the planning phase. Therefore, parametric estimating (D) is the most suitable approach given the constraints.

Answer

Use three-point estimating to combine optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely costs.

Answer

Use analogous estimating from similar residential projects.

Answer

Use bottom-up estimating after completing the work breakdown structure down to work packages.

Question 11

A software development project is using a predictive approach with a detailed project schedule based on the critical path method (CPM). The project is currently in the execution phase. The team reports that a critical task (Task X) is two weeks behind schedule. Task X has a total float of 0 and has two immediate successors: Task Y and Task Z, both of which are also on the critical path. The project manager has the ability to add resources to overlapping tasks. The project sponsor is concerned about the schedule delay and wants a recovery plan. The project manager needs to determine the best course of action to get the project back on track without impacting quality or budget excessively.

Accepted Answer

Crash Task X by adding more resources to complete it faster.. Crashing Task X by adding resources is the most effective way to compress the schedule of a critical path task with zero float, directly addressing the two-week delay without altering scope or re-baselining. Fast-tracking successors (option D) risks rework and does not reduce the duration of Task X itself. Reducing scope (option A) compromises requirements, and re-baselining (option B) accepts the delay rather than recovering it. Therefore, option C is correct.

Answer

Reduce the scope of Task X to meet the original deadline.

Answer

Re-baseline the schedule to reflect the delay and inform the sponsor.

Answer

Fast-track the successors by starting them as soon as possible even if the predecessor is incomplete.

Question 12

A manufacturing company is planning to install a new production line using a predictive project management approach. The project has a fixed price contract with a supplier for a critical machine. During the plan risk management process, the project manager identifies a risk that the key supplier might declare bankruptcy before delivering the machine. This risk has a high probability due to the supplier's financial instability, and a high impact because the machine is on the critical path and has a long lead time. The project manager must decide on a risk response strategy that will minimize the potential impact on the project. The team suggests several options.

Accepted Answer

Transfer the risk by requiring the supplier to obtain a performance bond.. Transferring the risk via a performance bond is the most appropriate response for this high-probability, high-impact risk. A performance bond guarantees that the supplier will fulfill its obligations; if the supplier defaults, the bonding company covers the financial loss, thereby protecting the project. This minimizes the potential impact without requiring a change in machine or relying on a backup supplier that may not meet lead time requirements. Option A (avoid) might be impractical or costly; option B (mitigate) does not fully address the risk; option D (accept) is insufficient for a high-priority risk. Therefore, option C is correct.

Answer

Avoid the risk by selecting a different machine that is available from multiple suppliers.

Answer

Mitigate the risk by establishing a backup supplier.

Answer

Accept the risk and document it in the risk register.

Question 13

A government IT project is being managed using a predictive lifecycle. The project must comply with numerous regulatory standards, including data privacy and security. The project manager developed a comprehensive quality management plan that includes regular quality audits by an independent team. At the first milestone quality audit, the auditor identifies three non-conformances related to documentation and testing procedures. The project manager is under pressure from the sponsor to stay on schedule. The project manager needs to address the non-conformances effectively while minimizing schedule impact.

Accepted Answer

Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for the non-conformances.. Root cause analysis and corrective actions are the most effective and efficient way to address non-conformances. Option C is correct.

Answer

Immediately halt all work until the non-conformances are resolved.

Answer

Ignore the non-conformances and proceed with the schedule, as they are minor.

Answer

Re-baseline the quality management plan to eliminate the problematic requirements.

Question 14

Which TWO are core activities in a predictive plan-based methodology?

Accepted Answer

Developing a detailed project schedule using the critical path method (CPM). In predictive plan-based methodology, detailed planning is done upfront, and changes are controlled. Decomposition of work into WBS and using CPM for scheduling are key activities. Rolling wave planning is more iterative, and retrospective reviews are from agile. Adaptive budgeting is not typical.

Answer

Conducting iterative retrospectives after each sprint

Answer

Implementing adaptive budgeting with frequent reallocation of funds

Answer

Using rolling wave planning to progressively elaborate details

Question 15

You are the project manager for a construction project using a predictive plan-based methodology. The project has a detailed scope baseline approved by stakeholders. During the execution phase, a key stakeholder requests an additional feature that would require significant changes to the scope. You estimate the impact will increase the project cost by 15% and extend the schedule by three weeks. The project charter clearly defines the original scope and budget. What is the BEST course of action?

Accepted Answer

Analyze the impact, present it to the stakeholder, and submit a formal change request to the change control board.. In a predictive methodology, changes to the scope baseline must go through formal change control. The project manager should evaluate the impact and submit a formal change request to the change control board for approval. Option D is the correct action. Option A would violate the baseline by proceeding without formal approval. Option B implements without analysis or approval. Option C rejects without proper evaluation, which is not appropriate as changes can be considered through the change control process.

Answer

Ask the project sponsor to authorize the change verbally and proceed.

Answer

Implement the change immediately to satisfy the stakeholder, then document it later.

Answer

Reject the request because the scope baseline is already approved.