PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Test 11 — 15 Questions

Question 1

A project manager is estimating the cost of a software development project. Using data from a similar past project, she adjusts for size and complexity. Which estimation technique is she using?

Accepted Answer

Analogous estimation. Analogous estimation uses historical data from a similar past project as the basis for estimating the current project, then adjusts for known differences such as size and complexity. This top-down approach is quick and requires less detailed information, making it ideal when limited data is available. The key is that the estimate is derived from analogy to a comparable project, not from a mathematical model or detailed breakdown.

Answer

Bottom-up estimation

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Parametric estimation

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Three-point estimation

Question 2

In a network diagram, if Activity B cannot start until Activity A is complete, what type of dependency is this?

Accepted Answer

Finish-to-Start (FS). A Finish-to-Start (FS) dependency means the successor activity cannot begin until the predecessor activity has finished. The scenario — Activity B cannot start until Activity A is complete — is the definition of FS, which is also the most common dependency type in project schedules.

Answer

Finish-to-Finish (FF)

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Start-to-Start (SS)

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Start-to-Finish (SF)

Question 3

A project has an EV of $40,000, PV of $50,000, and AC of $45,000. What is the cost performance index (CPI)?

Accepted Answer

0.89. The cost performance index (CPI) is calculated as EV / AC. With EV = $40,000 and AC = $45,000, CPI = 40,000 / 45,000 = 0.888..., which rounds to 0.89. A CPI less than 1 indicates the project is over budget for the work completed.

Answer

1.25

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0.80

Answer

1.11

Question 4

A project manager identifies a risk that a key team member might leave during the project. To reduce the impact, she cross-trains other team members. Which risk response strategy is being applied?

Accepted Answer

Mitigate. Mitigation reduces the probability or impact of a risk. Cross-training reduces impact.

Answer

Accept

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Avoid

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Transfer

Question 5

According to Tuckman's model, during which stage do team members begin to resolve conflicts and establish norms?

Accepted Answer

Norming. In Tuckman's model, the Norming stage is when team members resolve their differences, agree on working methods, and establish shared norms and values. Conflict from the Storming stage gives way to cohesion, and the team begins to function as a coordinated unit with agreed-upon rules. This is the stage where trust and mutual support replace the earlier friction.

Answer

Performing

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Storming

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Forming

Question 6

A project manager uses a power/interest grid to categorize stakeholders. Stakeholders with high power and low interest should be managed using which approach?

Accepted Answer

Keep satisfied. High power, low interest stakeholders need to be kept satisfied to prevent them from using their power against the project.

Answer

Manage closely

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Keep informed

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Monitor

Question 7

During project execution, a team member proposes a change that will affect the scope baseline. What is the first step the project manager should take?

Accepted Answer

Submit a change request. When a change is proposed that will affect the scope baseline, the project manager should first ensure that a formal change request is submitted. This documents the proposed change, its impact, and justification, and initiates the integrated change control process. Only after the change request is created should it be reviewed by the change control board (CCB) or other approvers.

Answer

Inform the change control board

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Update the project management plan

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Deny the change

Question 8

A project has a budget at completion (BAC) of $200,000. The earned value (EV) is $100,000, actual cost (AC) is $120,000, and planned value (PV) is $90,000. What is the estimate at completion (EAC) if the project will continue to perform at the current cost performance index (CPI)?

Accepted Answer

$240,000. CPI = EV/AC = 100,000/120,000 = 0.833. EAC = BAC/CPI = 200,000/0.833 = 240,000.

Answer

$200,000

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$220,000

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$260,000

Question 9

A project manager is calculating the critical path. The network diagram shows two paths: Path A: A(3 days) → B(4 days) → C(2 days) = 9 days; Path B: D(5 days) → E(1 day) → F(3 days) = 9 days. Both have total float of zero. What is the total float for an activity on Path A?

Accepted Answer

0 days. Total float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project finish date. Activities on the critical path have zero total float by definition. Since both Path A and Path B are 9 days and both have zero float, every activity on Path A — including the one in question — has a total float of 0 days.

Answer

1 day

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3 days

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2 days

Question 10

A project has a CPI of 0.9 and an SPI of 1.1. Which two statements are true? (Select TWO.)

Accepted Answer

The project is ahead of schedule.. CPI < 1 means over budget; SPI > 1 means ahead of schedule.

Answer

The project is on schedule.

Answer

The project is under budget.

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The project is behind schedule.

Question 11

During the planning phase, which three documents are typically created? (Select THREE.)

Accepted Answer

Risk register. The Risk register (A) is a planning-phase artifact because it is created during risk planning to identify, analyze, and document risks along with their probability, impact, and responses. The Work Breakdown Structure (B) is produced in planning when the project scope is decomposed into deliverables and work packages, forming the basis for estimating and scheduling. The Schedule baseline (D) is also a planning output, established once the schedule is developed and approved, and it is used to measure schedule performance. The Project charter (C) is not a planning document because it is created and approved during the initiating phase, before planning begins. Lessons learned (E) is not a planning document because it is compiled throughout the project and finalized during closing, not typically created as a planning-phase output.

Answer

Project charter

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Lessons learned

Question 12

A project manager is developing a communication plan. Which two factors should be considered for each stakeholder? (Select TWO.)

Accepted Answer

Communication needs. Communication needs and preferred frequency are key inputs to the communication plan.

Answer

Vendor performance

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Budget constraints

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Risk tolerance

Question 13

A project manager is creating a document that formally authorizes the project and assigns the project manager. This document includes the business case, high-level scope, and budget constraints. What is this document called?

Accepted Answer

Project charter. The project charter is the document that formally authorizes the project, names the project manager, and captures the business case, high-level scope, and budget constraints. It is issued by the sponsor (or PMO) and gives the PM authority to apply organizational resources. This matches the question's description exactly.

Answer

Project scope statement

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Project management plan

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Business case

Question 14

During project planning, the team creates a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team. Each descending level represents an increasingly detailed definition of the project work. What is this called?

Accepted Answer

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team. It breaks down the project deliverables into smaller, more manageable components, with each descending level providing increasingly detailed definitions of the work. This matches the description exactly.

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Network diagram

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Project schedule

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Risk register

Question 15

A project has three activities: Activity A (5 days), Activity B (7 days), Activity C (4 days). Activity B depends on A. Activity C depends on B. What is the total float for Activity B?

Accepted Answer

0 days. Activity B is on the critical path: A (5) → B (7) → C (4) = 16 days total, and B has no slack because any delay to B delays C and the project. Total float is calculated as Late Start − Early Start (or Late Finish − Early Finish); for B, both are equal, giving 0 days of float.

Answer

5 days

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7 days

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4 days