PK0-005 Practice Test 29 — 15 Questions

Question 1

Which of the following best describes a mandatory dependency in a project schedule?

Accepted Answer

A dependency that is inherent in the nature of the work and cannot be changed.. A mandatory dependency, also called a hard logic dependency, is one that is inherent in the nature of the work and cannot be changed without fundamentally altering the project scope or sequence. For example, you cannot test software before it is coded, or pour a foundation before excavating. This type of dependency is dictated by physical, technical, or contractual necessity and is not subject to the project manager's discretion.

Answer

A dependency that is required by the project team based on best practices.

Answer

A dependency that involves a third-party vendor outside the project.

Answer

A dependency that can be changed if the project manager decides to reorder tasks.

Question 2

A project has a budget at completion (BAC) of $200,000. After 3 months, the earned value (EV) is $80,000, and the actual cost (AC) is $100,000. What is the estimate at completion (EAC) assuming the cost performance index (CPI) will remain the same for the remainder of the project?

Accepted Answer

$250,000. CPI = EV / AC = $80,000 / $100,000 = 0.8. The formula EAC = BAC / CPI is used when current cost performance is expected to continue. EAC = $200,000 / 0.8 = $250,000.

Answer

$220,000

Answer

$300,000

Answer

$200,000

Question 3

A project manager is estimating costs for a new project using a top-down approach based on historical data from a similar project. Which estimation technique is being used?

Accepted Answer

Analogous estimation. Analogous estimation uses historical data from a similar past project to estimate the current project's cost or duration, typically at a high level (top-down). Because the question specifies a top-down approach based on historical data from a similar project, analogous estimation is the exact match. It is fast and useful early when detailed information is scarce, though less precise than bottom-up methods.

Answer

Three-point estimation

Answer

Bottom-up estimation

Answer

Parametric estimation

Question 4

During project planning, the project manager is creating a risk register. Which THREE pieces of information are typically included in a risk register? (Select three.)

Accepted Answer

Risk description. A risk register typically documents each identified risk with a clear risk description (Option A), so the team understands the nature and cause of the potential problem. It also records the probability and impact assessment (Option B), which quantifies or rates how likely the risk is and how severely it could affect project objectives, enabling prioritization. Additionally, the register includes the risk response plan (Option D), specifying the agreed mitigation, avoidance, transfer, or acceptance strategy along with any contingency actions. The actual cost of the project (Option C) is tracked in the project budget or cost baseline, not as a core risk register field, and team member assignments (Option E) belong in a responsibility assignment matrix or staffing plan rather than the risk register.

Answer

Actual cost of the project

Answer

Team member assignments

Question 5

In an Agile project, the team uses a tool to manage user stories and tasks. Which tool is specifically designed for Agile project management, supporting Scrum and Kanban boards?

Accepted Answer

Jira. Jira, developed by Atlassian, is purpose-built for Agile project management and natively supports Scrum and Kanban boards, backlogs, sprints, and user story tracking. It is the de facto standard tool in Agile software development environments. Its configurability and integration with development tools make it specifically designed for Agile workflows.

Answer

Smartsheet

Answer

Monday.com

Answer

Microsoft Project

Question 6

Which risk response strategy involves taking action to reduce the probability or impact of a risk?

Accepted Answer

Mitigate. Mitigate is the risk response strategy that focuses on reducing either the likelihood or the impact of a risk. In project management (e.g., PMBOK), mitigation involves proactive actions such as implementing additional testing, using redundant components, or providing training to lower the chance of a risk occurring or to lessen its consequences if it does. This is distinct from other strategies that change the risk's probability/impact by other means, such as avoiding the risk entirely or shifting it to a third party.

Answer

Accept

Answer

Avoid

Answer

Transfer

Question 7

In a precedence diagramming method (PDM) network, a successor activity cannot start until its predecessor activity has started. Which type of dependency does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Start-to-start (SS). A Start-to-Start (SS) dependency means the successor activity cannot begin until the predecessor has started. This is the definition given in the question — the successor's start is gated by the predecessor's start, not its finish. SS is commonly used when two activities must run in parallel with a lead/lag relationship.

Answer

Start-to-finish (SF)

Answer

Finish-to-finish (FF)

Answer

Finish-to-start (FS)

Question 8

A project manager is using the power/interest grid to classify stakeholders. Which group should be managed most closely because they have high power and high interest?

Accepted Answer

Manage closely. In the power/interest grid, stakeholders with both high power and high interest must be managed closely because they can significantly influence the project and care deeply about its outcomes. This quadrant requires proactive engagement, frequent communication, and involvement in key decisions. The other quadrants (keep satisfied, keep informed, monitor) apply to different combinations of power and interest.

Answer

Keep satisfied

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Keep informed

Question 9

Which of the following is the primary purpose of a feasibility study during the initiating phase?

Accepted Answer

To determine if the project is viable. A feasibility study is conducted during the initiating phase to evaluate whether a proposed project is technically, financially, legally, and operationally viable before committing resources. It answers the question 'should we proceed?' by analyzing alternatives and constraints. Communication plans, risk identification, and detailed schedules come later in the planning phase.

Answer

To develop a communication plan

Answer

To identify all project risks

Answer

To create a detailed project schedule

Question 10

An agile team uses a tool where they maintain a list of features, enhancements, and bug fixes that are not yet scheduled for a sprint. This list is prioritized by the product owner. What is this list called?

Accepted Answer

Product backlog. The product backlog is the single, prioritized list of all desired work for the product — features, enhancements, and bug fixes — that are not yet scheduled for a sprint, and it is owned and ordered by the product owner. Items move from the product backlog into the sprint backlog only when selected during sprint planning. Because the question describes an unscheduled, product-owner-prioritized list, the product backlog is the correct answer.

Answer

Sprint backlog

Answer

Issue log

Answer

Risk register

Question 11

A project manager receives a status report showing that the project's SPI is 0.9. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The project is behind schedule. SPI (Schedule Performance Index) = EV / PV. An SPI less than 1 means the project is behind schedule. 0.9 indicates that for every planned unit of work, only 0.9 units have been completed.

Answer

The project is over budget

Answer

The project is on schedule

Answer

The project is ahead of schedule

Question 12

A project manager is tracking issues and their resolution status. Which document should the manager use to record and monitor these issues?

Accepted Answer

Issue log. An issue log is used to document and track issues throughout the project, including their status, owner, and resolution.

Answer

Stakeholder register

Answer

Risk register

Answer

Change log

Question 13

Which THREE of the following are characteristics of a project as defined by PMI?

Accepted Answer

Progressively elaborated through iterative steps.. PMI defines a project as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result, so option D is correct because uniqueness of the deliverable is a defining characteristic. Option E is correct because 'temporary' means the project has a definite beginning and end, distinguishing it from ongoing operations. Option A is correct because projects are progressively elaborated, meaning they are developed in iterative steps as details become clearer over time. Option B is incorrect because repetitive, ongoing outputs describe operations, not projects, which are temporary and unique. Option C is incorrect because projects are constrained by limited resources, budget, and time, not unlimited ones.

Answer

Produces repetitive, ongoing outputs.

Answer

Has unlimited resources and time.

Question 14

A project manager needs to identify which tasks are critical to the project's completion date. After creating the project schedule, which tool should be used to visualize the critical path?

Accepted Answer

Network diagram. A network diagram (activity-on-node) with dependencies allows identification of the critical path (longest path with zero float).

Answer

Burndown chart

Answer

Milestone chart

Answer

Gantt chart

Question 15

A project team is distributed across three time zones. The project manager needs a tool for real-time collaboration, file sharing, and instant messaging. Which type of tool is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Collaboration software. Collaboration software (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) provides real-time chat, file sharing, and instant messaging, which directly matches the requirement for a distributed team across time zones. It is designed for synchronous and asynchronous communication, making it the most appropriate tool.

Answer

Email

Answer

Shared network drive

Answer

Project management software