PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Test 12 — 15 Questions

Question 1

You are managing a project that is experiencing resource constraints. Two critical tasks are scheduled concurrently but require the same specialized resource. Which TWO actions should the project manager consider to resolve this conflict?

Accepted Answer

Adjust task dependencies to sequence the tasks if possible.. Resource leveling adjusts the schedule to resolve resource over-allocation, and adjusting dependencies can help sequence tasks. Outsourcing or adding resources are alternative options, but the two best are resource leveling and adjusting dependencies.

Answer

Crash the schedule by adding more resources to both tasks.

Answer

Hire additional contractors to perform one of the tasks.

Answer

Remove one task from the schedule to prioritize the other.

Question 2

During a project, a new regulation is enacted that requires additional compliance testing. The project is in the execution phase. Which THREE actions should the project manager take?

Accepted Answer

Update the risk register with the new regulatory requirement as a threat.. The PM should update the risk register to reflect the new compliance risk, submit a change request to incorporate the testing, and communicate the impact to stakeholders. Ignoring the regulation or proceeding without change control would be incorrect.

Answer

Ignore the regulation because it was not in the original project plan.

Answer

Instruct the team to start compliance testing immediately without formal approval.

Question 3

You are managing a large, complex project with multiple vendors. A critical vendor is consistently late on deliveries, impacting the project's critical path. The vendor contract includes penalties for delays. Which TWO actions should the project manager take FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Schedule a meeting with the vendor to discuss the delays and explore corrective actions.. The PM should first communicate with the vendor to understand the root cause and explore solutions, and also review the contract to enforce penalties if appropriate. Escalating to senior management or terminating the contract are later steps.

Answer

Escalate the issue to the project sponsor for intervention.

Answer

Issue a formal notice of non-compliance and invoke penalty clauses.

Answer

Immediately terminate the contract and find a new vendor.

Question 4

You are managing a software development project using a hybrid approach. In the middle of a sprint, you discover that a team member has been working on a feature that was de-scoped in the last sprint review. The team member claims the product owner informally agreed to add it back. What should you do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Stop work on the feature and initiate a change request through the change control process. Option B is correct because PMI requires all scope changes to follow the formal change control process, even if informally agreed. The PM must ensure proper documentation and approval.

Answer

Ask the product owner to formally document the agreement and add it to the backlog

Answer

Allow the team member to continue since the product owner agreed

Answer

Escalate to the project sponsor for a decision

Question 5

Your project is developing a new mobile app using Scrum. The team has consistently delivered 30 story points per sprint for the last three sprints. Suddenly, velocity drops to 20 story points in the current sprint. The team members report that they are spending extra time fixing defects from previous sprints. What should you do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate a retrospective to identify root causes of defects and implement process improvements. Option C is correct because the root cause of the velocity drop needs to be understood before taking corrective action. A retrospective is the appropriate forum to discuss process improvements.

Answer

Reduce the definition of done to lower the quality bar

Answer

Add more developers to the team to increase velocity

Answer

Ask the team to work overtime to catch up

Question 6

You are the project manager for a large infrastructure project. During a routine check, you discover that the project's SPI is 0.85 and the CPI is 0.90. The project sponsor is concerned about the schedule delay and asks you to compress the schedule without increasing costs. Which technique is BEST suited for this situation?

Accepted Answer

Fast-tracking activities on the critical path. Option A is correct because crashing involves adding resources to critical path activities, which typically increases cost. Since the sponsor wants no cost increase, crashing is not appropriate. Fast-tracking can be done at no additional cost but may increase risk.

Answer

Reduce the scope of the project

Answer

Apply resource leveling to smooth resource usage

Answer

Crashing the critical path by adding more resources

Question 7

During a sprint review, a key stakeholder expresses dissatisfaction with the product increment, stating that it does not meet their expectations. The team followed the acceptance criteria defined in the user stories. What should the project manager do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Schedule a meeting with the stakeholder and product owner to clarify expectations and refine the backlog. Option D is correct because engaging the stakeholder to clarify expectations and possibly update the product backlog ensures alignment and prevents future dissatisfaction.

Answer

Explain that the team delivered exactly what was agreed upon and the stakeholder should have raised concerns earlier

Answer

Refer the stakeholder to the product owner to discuss changes for future sprints

Answer

Ask the team to redo the work to meet the stakeholder's unspoken needs

Question 8

Your construction project is ahead of schedule but over budget. The earned value metrics are: EV = $500,000, PV = $450,000, AC = $550,000. What is the cost performance index (CPI) and schedule performance index (SPI)?

Accepted Answer

CPI = 0.91, SPI = 1.11. Option B is correct: CPI = EV/AC = 500,000/550,000 = 0.91; SPI = EV/PV = 500,000/450,000 = 1.11.

Answer

CPI = 1.11, SPI = 0.91

Answer

CPI = 1.10, SPI = 0.91

Answer

CPI = 0.91, SPI = 0.91

Question 9

You are managing a pharmaceutical research project that is subject to strict regulatory compliance. Mid-project, a new regulation requires additional testing that will add 4 weeks to the schedule and $50,000 in costs. The sponsor is anxious about the delay. What should you do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request with the impact analysis to the change control board for approval. Option C is correct because the change control process must be followed for any scope change. The PM should assess the impact and submit a change request for formal approval.

Answer

Instruct the team to begin the additional testing immediately to ensure compliance

Answer

Inform the sponsor that the project will be delayed and request more budget

Answer

Update the risk register and issue log to reflect the new regulation

Question 10

Your agile team has been experiencing conflicts between two senior developers over technical approaches during sprint planning. The conflicts are causing delays and affecting team morale. As the project manager, what is the BEST course of action?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate a meeting between the developers to discuss and resolve the technical disagreement. Option B is correct because facilitating a structured discussion helps the team resolve conflicts collaboratively, which aligns with PMI's emphasis on team development and conflict resolution.

Answer

Escalate the issue to the functional managers of the developers

Answer

Make the technical decision yourself to end the debate

Answer

Assign the developers to different teams to avoid future conflicts

Question 11

During a daily standup, a developer mentions that a risk identified in the risk register has occurred and is causing a one-day delay. The risk response plan includes a mitigation strategy that can be implemented immediately. What should the project manager do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Implement the planned risk response as documented in the risk register. Option A is correct because the risk response plan already provides a course of action. The PM should implement the planned response without hesitation.

Answer

Update the issue log and inform stakeholders of the delay

Answer

Escalate the issue to the sponsor for guidance

Answer

Conduct a new risk assessment to determine the best response

Question 12

Your project is using a hybrid approach with both predictive and agile elements. The team is working on a critical feature that has a high degree of uncertainty. The product owner wants to use a time-boxed sprint to explore the feature. However, the sponsor insists on a detailed upfront plan. What should the project manager do?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate a meeting between the sponsor and product owner to agree on a hybrid approach that includes both planning and exploration. Option D is correct because the PM should educate the sponsor on the benefits of agile for uncertain work while respecting governance. A hybrid approach can satisfy both needs.

Answer

Escalate the disagreement to senior management

Answer

Follow the sponsor's directive and create a detailed plan

Answer

Use a time-boxed sprint without informing the sponsor

Question 13

You are managing a project to deploy a new customer relationship management (CRM) system. During user acceptance testing, the quality assurance team identifies several critical defects that must be fixed before go-live. The project is already behind schedule. What should the project manager do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Prioritize fixing the critical defects and update the project schedule and stakeholders on the new timeline. Option B is correct because quality is a constraint; fixing critical defects is necessary. The PM should reassess the schedule and communicate impacts to stakeholders.

Answer

Escalate the issue to the project sponsor for a decision on whether to delay

Answer

Proceed with go-live and fix defects in a later release

Answer

Ask the team to work overtime to fix defects without changing the go-live date

Question 14

A key vendor notifies you that they cannot deliver a critical component on time due to raw material shortages. This component is on the critical path and has no float. The vendor suggests using a substitute material that meets specifications but costs 20% more. What should the project manager do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request to evaluate the substitute material, including cost and schedule impacts. Option C is correct because any change to the procurement approach (substitute material) requires a change request to assess cost and schedule impacts before approval.

Answer

Invoke the penalty clause in the vendor contract for late delivery

Answer

Accept the vendor's suggestion to use the substitute material to avoid delay

Answer

Look for alternative vendors who can deliver the original component on time

Question 15

During a project retrospective, the team identifies several process improvements that could increase efficiency. What is the BEST way to ensure these improvements are implemented?

Accepted Answer

Add action items to the next sprint backlog with assigned owners. Option D is correct because adding action items to the upcoming sprint backlog with ownership ensures the improvements are tracked and executed.

Answer

Instruct the team to implement the improvements immediately

Answer

Ask the project sponsor to approve the improvements

Answer

Document the improvements in the lessons learned register for future projects