PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Test 19 — 15 Questions

Question 1

Your project is facing significant schedule delays due to unforeseen regulatory changes. You need to compress the schedule. Which TWO techniques are appropriate for schedule compression?

Accepted Answer

Fast-tracking: performing activities in parallel that were originally sequential. Crashing and fast-tracking are the two main schedule compression techniques. Crashing adds resources to critical path activities, while fast-tracking performs activities in parallel. Resource leveling is for resource optimization, and scope reduction is a scope change.

Answer

Adding buffers to the schedule

Answer

Resource leveling: smoothing resource demand to avoid peaks

Answer

Reducing scope: removing non-critical deliverables

Question 2

You are managing a complex project with multiple stakeholders. During execution, an executive stakeholder bypasses you and directly gives instructions to the development team, causing confusion and rework. Which THREE actions should you take to address this situation?

Accepted Answer

Communicate with the team that all instructions should go through the project manager to avoid confusion. The PM should first address the issue directly with the stakeholder, communicate the impact to the team, and reinforce the communication plan. Escalating to the sponsor or updating the issue log may be secondary steps.

Answer

Escalate the issue to the project sponsor

Answer

Update the stakeholder engagement plan to include this stakeholder's communication preferences

Question 3

During a sprint retrospective, the team identifies that the daily standup meetings are not effective because they are too long and lack focus. Which THREE actions should the Scrum Master take to improve the standup?

Accepted Answer

Time-box the standup to 15 minutes and enforce it. To improve daily standups, the Scrum Master should enforce time-boxing, encourage focused updates, and perhaps change the format or location to keep them concise. Assigning a rotating facilitator can also help.

Answer

Cancel the standup and replace it with written reports

Answer

Encourage team members to give detailed status reports

Question 4

You are managing a software development project using a hybrid approach. During a sprint review, the product owner requests a new feature that was not in the backlog. The team estimates it will take 5 days to implement. What is the BEST action to take?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request and assess the impact on the project baseline.. In a hybrid environment, any scope change must follow the defined change control process. Option D is correct because the PM should document the request and follow the formal process. Option A bypasses governance; Option B ignores the request prematurely; Option C adds work without approval.

Answer

Tell the product owner that no changes are allowed until the project is completed.

Answer

Ask the team to include it in the next sprint and inform the product owner.

Answer

Add the feature to the current sprint as it's small and the team can handle it.

Question 5

Your construction project is in the execution phase. A key vendor informs you that a critical material will be delayed by 3 weeks due to a strike at their factory. This delay will push the project beyond the required completion date. The risk was identified and documented in the risk register with a planned response. What should you do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Implement the pre-defined risk response as documented in the risk register.. The planned risk response should be executed as per the risk management plan. Option A is correct because the response is already defined. Option B is reactive; Option C skips the planned response; Option D may be needed later but is not first.

Answer

Inform the sponsor and ask for additional budget to expedite shipping.

Answer

Crash the schedule by adding extra resources to other tasks to recover time.

Answer

Update the risk register and escalate to the steering committee.

Question 6

You are the project manager for a 9-month product launch. At the midpoint review, the earned value analysis shows: EV = $450,000, PV = $500,000, AC = $550,000. The project is underperforming. The sponsor asks for a recovery plan. Which metric should you use to estimate the new total cost at completion assuming no change in cost performance?

Accepted Answer

EAC = BAC / CPI. With no change in cost performance, the Estimate at Completion (EAC) using CPI is appropriate: EAC = BAC/CPI. Calculate CPI = EV/AC = 0.818, so EAC = BAC/0.818. Option B is correct. Options A, C, D are incorrect formulas.

Answer

EAC = AC + (BAC - EV) / (CPI * SPI)

Answer

EAC = AC + (BAC - EV)

Answer

EAC = AC + BAC - EV

Question 7

During a daily standup, a developer mentions she is blocked by a dependency from another team. The issue was not previously identified. As the project manager, what is the BEST action?

Accepted Answer

Add the blocker to the issue log and work with the other team to resolve it.. The PM should ensure the issue is documented and addressed. Option A is correct because the issue log is the proper tool. Option B delays; Option C is not the PM's role; Option D bypasses documentation.

Answer

Remove the dependency by reassigning the work to a different developer.

Answer

Ask the developer to find a workaround and report back tomorrow.

Answer

Tell the developer to escalate the issue to the other team's manager directly.

Question 8

Your agile project has been experiencing decreasing velocity over the last three sprints. The team is frustrated and morale is low. The product owner is pressuring for more features. What is the BEST action for the project manager to take?

Accepted Answer

Conduct a retrospective to identify impediments and improvement actions.. The PM should facilitate a retrospective to identify root causes. Option C is correct because it addresses the issue using agile ceremonies. Option A avoids the problem; Option B adds pressure; Option D is reactive.

Answer

Ask the team to work overtime to catch up on velocity.

Answer

Replace the underperforming team members with new resources.

Answer

Increase the sprint length to give the team more time.

Question 9

You are managing a software upgrade project. A senior executive bypasses you and directly instructs a team member to include a new feature in the release. The team member is confused and asks for your direction. What should you do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Speak with the executive to explain the change control process and the impact of the request.. The PM should clarify the proper process and communicate with the executive. Option B is correct because it addresses the bypass and reinforces change control. Option A escalates without conversation; Option C ignores the issue; Option D violates process.

Answer

Submit a change request on behalf of the executive without assessment.

Answer

Advise the team member to follow the executive's instruction.

Answer

Escalate the situation to the executive's manager immediately.

Question 10

During project execution, the quality assurance team finds that a deliverable does not meet the specified requirements. What should the project manager do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Document the nonconformance in the issue log and create a corrective action plan.. The PM should document the nonconformance and initiate a corrective action. Option C is correct. Option A is reactive; Option B is premature; Option D delays resolution.

Answer

Proceed with the deliverable as-is and note it in lessons learned.

Answer

Ask the team to rework the deliverable immediately.

Answer

Inform the sponsor that the deliverable is delayed.

Question 11

Your project is using a hybrid approach. During a sprint, the team realizes that a critical dependency from another project will not be ready on time, impacting the critical path. The dependency was not identified in the risk register. What is the BEST action?

Accepted Answer

Add the dependency to the issue log, assess the impact on the schedule, and engage the other project manager.. The PM must first assess the impact and then manage the issue. Option A is correct because updating the issue log and analyzing impact is the proper first step. Option B is reactive; Option C assumes a solution without analysis; Option D ignores governance.

Answer

Crash the schedule by adding resources to the dependent task.

Answer

Escalate to the project management office for resource reallocation.

Answer

Ask the team to find a workaround to bypass the dependency.

Question 12

In the middle of a project, new government regulations are introduced that affect your deliverables. Compliance is mandatory. The project is currently on schedule and on budget. What should the project manager do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request to assess the impact of the regulation on the project baselines.. The PM must assess the impact of the regulation and then follow change control. Option D is correct. Option A bypasses process; Option B is premature; Option C may be needed later but not first.

Answer

Incorporate the changes to comply with the regulation immediately.

Answer

Notify the sponsor that the project will be delayed and over budget.

Answer

Consult legal to determine the exact requirements.

Question 13

A team member consistently misses deadlines, causing delays in the sprint. The project manager has had informal conversations, but the issue persists. What is the BEST next step?

Accepted Answer

Schedule a formal meeting to discuss the issue, set clear expectations, and document the conversation.. The PM should follow the performance management process, starting with a documented conversation. Option B is correct. Option A escalates too quickly; Option C avoids the issue; Option D is too drastic.

Answer

Reassign the work to other team members to avoid delays.

Answer

Escalate the issue to the team member's functional manager for disciplinary action.

Answer

Remove the team member from the project and request a replacement.

Question 14

You are managing a project using a predictive approach. A key stakeholder requests a minor change that does not affect the critical path but will add two days to the schedule. The team has some idle time. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request to the change control board for evaluation.. Even minor changes must go through change control. Option C is correct. Option A bypasses process; Option B is not the PM's sole decision; Option D assumes approval without analysis.

Answer

Tell the team to implement the change and update the schedule later.

Answer

Refuse the change to protect the schedule baseline.

Answer

Approve the change since it is minor and the team can absorb the delay.

Question 15

Your project is in the execution phase. The earned value metrics are: EV=$200,000, PV=$250,000, AC=$220,000. The project is behind schedule and over budget. You need to present a recovery plan to the steering committee. Which combination of actions is BEST aligned with PMI best practices?

Accepted Answer

Conduct root cause analysis of variances, then consider fast tracking or crashing as appropriate.. The correct approach is to analyze root causes and develop options. Option D includes root cause analysis and schedule compression, which are appropriate. Options A, B, C are reactive or incomplete.

Answer

Ask the team to work overtime without additional cost.

Answer

Reduce scope to meet the schedule and cost baselines.

Answer

Crash the schedule by adding resources and request additional budget.