PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Test 2 — 15 Questions

Question 1

You are managing a project that is experiencing scope creep. Several stakeholders have been informally requesting additional features directly from team members. Which TWO actions should you take to address this?

Choose an answer to begin — your selection is scored in the full session.

Accepted Answer

Educate the team on the importance of following the change control process.. Option D is correct because the root cause of the scope creep is that team members are accepting informal requests directly, bypassing the change control process; educating the team on why all changes must flow through integrated change control prevents unauthorized work from entering the schedule and budget. Option E is correct because directing all change requests to the project manager ensures each request is formally documented, evaluated for impact on scope, schedule, cost, and risk, and then approved, rejected, or deferred by the change control board rather than being silently absorbed by the team. Together, D and E restore the discipline that stops unapproved features from being added. Option A is wrong because refusing all new requests is not appropriate—legitimate changes should still be evaluated through the change control process rather than blanket-rejected. Option B is wrong because re-baselining the scope is premature and only warranted after approved changes have accumulated; the immediate issue is the informal channel, not the baseline itself. Option C is wrong because limiting stakeholder interactions damages engagement and communication; the goal is to channel requests through the proper process, not to cut stakeholders off.

Answer

Refuse all new requests until the project is completed.

Answer

Conduct a meeting with stakeholders to review the project scope and re-baseline if necessary.

Answer

Update the stakeholder engagement plan to limit stakeholder interactions with the team.

Question 2

During a project retrospective, the team identifies that communication breakdowns between developers and testers caused rework. Which THREE techniques could the team adopt to improve communication and quality?

Accepted Answer

Hold daily standup meetings to discuss progress and issues.. Option B is correct because daily standups are a core Agile/Scrum ceremony that gives developers and testers a recurring, time-boxed forum to surface blockers, coordinate handoffs, and align on progress, directly addressing the communication breakdowns that caused rework. Option D is correct because pair programming puts two team members (e.g., a developer and a tester) at one workstation with continuous real-time review, which transfers knowledge across roles and catches defects earlier, reducing miscommunication-driven rework. Option E is correct because a definition of done is an explicit, shared checklist of quality criteria (e.g., code reviewed, unit tests passing, acceptance criteria verified) that both developers and testers agree on, removing ambiguity about when work is truly complete. Option A does not belong because increasing automated test coverage is a technical quality practice that can catch regressions but does not by itself improve developer-tester communication. Option C does not belong because a kanban board visualizes workflow and limits WIP, which aids transparency, but it is not primarily a communication-and-quality technique targeting the developer-tester interface described in the scenario.

Answer

Increase automated test coverage.

Answer

Adopt a kanban board to visualize workflow.

Question 3

During a daily standup, a developer mentions that they are blocked due to a missing API from a third-party vendor. The vendor had promised delivery two days ago. What should the project manager do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Check the risk register for any identified risk response related to vendor delays.. The project manager should first check the risk register for any identified risk response related to vendor delays, because the risk register may already contain a planned response (e.g., backup vendor, buffer time) that can be implemented. This is consistent with PMBOK guidance to manage risks proactively using the risk register.

Answer

Contact the vendor to understand the delay and expedite delivery.

Answer

Escalate the issue to senior management immediately.

Answer

Ask the developer to work on other tasks until the API is available.

Question 4

You are managing a construction project using a predictive approach. The project is currently in the execution phase. A key vendor notifies you that due to a raw material shortage, the delivery of critical steel beams will be delayed by 4 weeks. This will impact the critical path. The risk register had identified a 'material shortage' risk with a response of 'accept'. What should the project manager do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request to update the project schedule and baseline due to the delay.. When an accepted risk materializes, it becomes an issue that must be managed. Since this issue impacts the critical path and causes a 4-week delay, it necessitates an update to the project schedule and potentially the schedule baseline. Any change to a project baseline requires a formal change request to be submitted and approved, ensuring proper documentation and stakeholder awareness. The 'accept' response means no proactive action was taken to alter the risk's probability or impact, but once it occurs, its consequences must be addressed as an issue.

Answer

Ask the team to compress the schedule by overlapping activities to recover the delay.

Answer

Invoke the 'accept' response and do nothing further, as it was planned.

Answer

Immediately escalate to the sponsor for additional budget to expedite delivery.

Question 5

A project manager is reviewing the quality metrics of a software project. The defect density is 0.5 defects per function point, which is below the acceptable threshold of 0.2. What should the project manager do?

Accepted Answer

Initiate corrective action by increasing quality control activities like additional testing and code reviews.. The defect density of 0.5 defects per function point exceeds the acceptable threshold of 0.2, indicating a quality problem. The project manager must initiate corrective action by increasing quality control activities, such as additional testing and code reviews, to reduce defects to an acceptable level. This aligns with the 'Manage Quality' process, which focuses on auditing quality requirements and results from control measurements to ensure appropriate quality standards are used.

Answer

Update the quality management plan to reflect a higher acceptable defect density.

Answer

Report the metric to the sponsor and ask for more time to fix defects.

Answer

Accept the current defect density as it is still within the acceptable range.

Question 6

Your project is running 15% over budget at the midpoint. The earned value (EV) is $500,000, actual cost (AC) is $575,000, and planned value (PV) is $550,000. The project sponsor is concerned and asks for an estimate at completion (EAC). Assuming the cost performance index (CPI) will continue as is, what is the EAC?

Accepted Answer

$1,265,000. CPI = EV/AC = $500,000 / $575,000 ≈ 0.8696. BAC is derived from the midpoint: PV = $550,000 at 50% planned completion, so BAC = $550,000 × 2 = $1,100,000. EAC = BAC / CPI = $1,100,000 / 0.8696 ≈ $1,265,000. Option A is the BAC; Option B uses an incorrect formula; Option C would result from using AC + (BAC - EV) which assumes future work at planned rate, but the assumption is CPI continues.

Answer

$1,100,000

Answer

$1,200,000

Answer

$1,175,000

Question 7

A project manager is closing a project that was delivered on time and within budget. The customer has accepted the final deliverable. Which THREE activities should the project manager complete during project closure?

Accepted Answer

Conduct a lessons learned session with the team and stakeholders. Option A is correct because conducting a lessons learned session with the team and stakeholders captures knowledge gained during the project, which is a core activity of the Close Project or Phase process and feeds into the organizational process assets. Option D is correct because releasing project resources—team members, equipment, and facilities—is a standard closure activity that ensures resources are freed for other work and that team members are formally reassigned. Option E is correct because archiving project documents and updating the organizational process assets preserves project records for future reference and audit, and is explicitly part of the Close Project or Phase process. Option B is not selected because processing final payment to vendors and suppliers is a procurement-specific activity that may not apply to every project and is not one of the three general closure activities listed here. Option C is not selected because formally closing all procurement contracts is also a procurement management activity that only applies when the project involved contracts, and it is not one of the three general closure activities identified in this scenario.

Answer

Process final payment to vendors and suppliers

Answer

Close all procurement contracts formally

Question 8

Your agile team has been consistently delivering in each sprint, but the product owner is concerned because the customer's needs have changed and some completed features may no longer be valuable. The project uses fixed-price contract. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Work with the product owner to reprioritize the remaining backlog and submit a change request to modify the scope. In agile, the product owner is responsible for maximizing value and managing the product backlog, so when customer needs change, the correct response is to reprioritize the backlog to reflect the new priorities. Because the project operates under a fixed-price contract, any change to the overall scope must go through the formal change control process, which typically involves submitting a change request to modify the contract or scope baseline. This approach balances agile adaptability with contractual governance, ensuring the team delivers the highest value within the agreed constraints.

Answer

Continue with the current sprint plan since the contract is fixed-price

Answer

Advise the product owner to accept the current features and add new ones in a separate project

Answer

Stop the project and renegotiate the contract with the customer

Question 9

You are managing a project that is experiencing scope creep. Several stakeholders have been informally requesting additional features directly from team members. Which TWO actions should you take to address this?

Choose an answer to begin — your selection is scored in the full session.

Accepted Answer

Remind stakeholders that all changes must go through the formal change control process. Option B is correct because when scope creep occurs through informal stakeholder requests, the project manager must enforce the Perform Integrated Change Control process, directing all change requests through the Change Control Board (CCB) for review, approval, or rejection before any work is done. Option E is correct because formalizing each informal request as a documented change request (via a Change Request form in the Perform Integrated Change Control process) converts verbal asks into traceable items that can be assessed for impact on scope, schedule, cost, and risk, and then approved or denied. Options A, C, and D are incorrect: ignoring requests (A) allows scope creep to continue unchecked, adding requests to the backlog without approval (C) bypasses the CCB and violates change control, and updating the project management plan to reflect informal requests (D) legitimizes unapproved scope changes without the required analysis and authorization.

Answer

Ignore minor requests to avoid conflict

Answer

Add the requests to the project backlog without approval

Answer

Update the project management plan to reflect all informal requests

Question 10

Your project team is encountering conflict between two senior developers over the technical approach. The conflict is causing delays. As the project manager, which TWO actions should you take to resolve the situation?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate a meeting where both developers can present their approaches and work towards a consensus. PMI recommends addressing conflict early through collaboration and using techniques like problem-solving (Option A). Facilitating a discussion to help the team reach a consensus is a key PM role. Additionally, when a full consensus is challenging, encouraging compromise (Option D) is an effective conflict resolution strategy, allowing both parties to find a mutually acceptable solution, such as a hybrid approach, that incorporates elements from both perspectives.

Answer

Escalate the issue to the functional managers

Answer

Ignore the conflict as it may resolve on its own

Answer

Decide the technical approach yourself and impose it on the developers

Question 11

A new regulatory requirement is discovered mid-project that will require additional deliverables. The project uses a hybrid approach. What THREE actions should the project manager take?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request to formally evaluate the impact of the new requirement. (submit change request) is correct as per Integrated Change Control. Option C (update risk register) is correct as new regulatory risks may arise. Option D (inform stakeholders) is correct to manage expectations. Option B is reactive (stop work) without analysis. Option E bypasses the team.

Answer

Have the team begin working on the new requirement immediately

Answer

Instruct the team to stop all work until the requirement is analyzed

Question 12

You are the project manager for 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 believes it can be completed within the current sprint without impacting the sprint goal. What should you do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request to the change control board to evaluate the impact on the project.. In a hybrid project with a formal change control process, any new scope request—even one raised during a sprint review—must first go through the change control board (CCB) so its impact on scope, schedule, cost, and risk can be evaluated before any work is committed; option A is therefore the correct first step. Although the team believes the feature fits within the current sprint, that informal assessment does not replace the governance step of submitting a change request. Option B defers the request without evaluation, option C bypasses change control by starting work immediately, and option D wrongly assumes the product owner can unilaterally approve scope changes within the sprint.

Answer

Add the feature to the product backlog for prioritization in a future sprint.

Answer

Ask the team to implement the feature immediately since it won't affect the sprint goal.

Answer

Allow the product owner to approve the change since it is within the sprint.

Question 13

You are managing a construction project. A risk event that was identified and accepted has occurred: a key supplier's factory flooded, delaying delivery of critical materials by two weeks. The project has no contingency for this delay, and the critical path will be impacted. What should you do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Evaluate alternative suppliers and schedule compression techniques, then submit a change request to adjust the project management plan.. The risk was accepted, meaning no proactive response was planned. Now that it has occurred and impacts the critical path, the PM should evaluate options (e.g., fast tracking, crashing, alternative suppliers) to mitigate the impact and then submit a change request for approval to adjust the project management plan. Option A is incorrect because while informing stakeholders is crucial, the PM should first analyze the situation and evaluate potential solutions before presenting the problem and options to stakeholders. Option B is incorrect because 'accepted' means no proactive response was planned, but once the risk occurs, it must be managed; doing nothing is irresponsible. Option D is incorrect because the stem explicitly states that 'The project has no contingency for this delay.'

Answer

Inform the sponsor and stakeholders about the delay and await their decision.

Answer

Do nothing since the risk was accepted.

Answer

Implement the contingency plan from the risk register.

Question 14

During a daily standup, a developer mentions that a critical integration task is blocked because the API documentation from an external vendor is incomplete. The sprint ends in three days, and this task is on the critical path. What should the scrum master do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Work with the vendor to obtain the missing documentation and update the team.. The Scrum Master's first responsibility is to remove impediments. Since the task is on the critical path and the sprint ends in three days, the Scrum Master should directly engage with the external vendor to obtain the missing API documentation, thereby unblocking the developer. This action aligns with the Scrum Master's role as a servant leader and facilitator of technical progress.

Answer

Escalate the issue to the project sponsor immediately.

Answer

Ask the developer to create the missing documentation themselves.

Answer

Inform the product owner and ask them to reprioritize the backlog.

Question 15

Your project is using a predictive approach to build a mobile app. During testing, the team discovers a critical security vulnerability that was not identified during planning. Fixing it will require two additional weeks and $50,000, which is within the contingency reserve. What should you do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request to use the contingency reserve for the fix.. The vulnerability is an unplanned event that threatens project scope (security) and requires additional time and cost. In predictive project management, using contingency reserves requires a formal change request because it involves a change to the approved cost baseline. The project manager must follow the Perform Integrated Change Control process, which includes submitting a change request to the Change Control Board (CCB) for approval before utilizing the reserve. Therefore, submitting a change request is the correct next step.

Answer

Document the vulnerability in the issue log and proceed without fixing it.

Answer

Inform the sponsor and ask for approval to use the contingency reserve.

Answer

Use the contingency reserve to fix the vulnerability immediately.