PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Test 4 — 15 Questions

Question 1

A project is in the monitoring and controlling phase. The project manager is reviewing the earned value metrics: EV = $50,000, PV = $60,000, AC = $55,000. Which of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

The project is over budget and behind schedule.. The project is over budget and behind schedule because the Cost Performance Index (CPI = EV/AC = $50,000/$55,000 ≈ 0.91) is less than 1, indicating cost overrun, and the Schedule Performance Index (SPI = EV/PV = $50,000/$60,000 ≈ 0.83) is less than 1, indicating schedule slippage. Since EV is lower than both AC and PV, the project has earned less value than planned and spent more than earned.

Answer

The project is over budget and ahead of schedule.

Answer

The project is under budget and ahead of schedule.

Answer

The project is under budget and behind schedule.

Question 2

A project team is experiencing conflicts and power struggles among members. According to Tuckman's stages of group development, which stage is the team likely in?

Accepted Answer

Storming. Tuckman's Storming stage is characterized by conflict, power struggles, and disagreements among team members as they assert their roles and ideas. It follows Forming and precedes Norming. The described conflicts and power struggles are textbook indicators of Storming, where personalities and working styles clash before the team coalesces.

Answer

Performing

Answer

Forming

Answer

Norming

Question 3

A project manager is evaluating risk responses. For a risk with high probability and high impact, which risk response strategy is most appropriate to eliminate the threat?

Accepted Answer

Avoid. Risk avoidance is the strategy of eliminating the threat entirely by changing the project scope, approach, or requirements so the risk no longer exists. For a high-probability, high-impact risk, avoidance is the only response that actually eliminates the threat rather than reducing, sharing, or tolerating it. The question explicitly asks which strategy will 'eliminate the threat,' which is the defining characteristic of avoidance.

Answer

Accept

Answer

Mitigate

Answer

Transfer

Question 4

In a power/interest grid, stakeholders with high power and low interest should be managed with which approach?

Accepted Answer

Keep satisfied. Stakeholders with high power and low interest fall into the 'Keep Satisfied' quadrant of the power/interest grid. Because they can exert significant influence over the project but don't care about day-to-day details, the PM should engage them enough to ensure their concerns are addressed without overloading them with information. This prevents them from becoming blockers while conserving communication effort.

Answer

Keep informed

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Manage closely

Question 5

A project manager is estimating costs for a new software development project. The company has completed three similar projects in the past. Which cost estimation technique is most appropriate in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Analogous estimation. Analogous estimation is the most appropriate technique because it uses historical data from similar past projects to estimate costs for the new project. Since the company has completed three similar projects, the project manager can leverage that experience to produce a quick, high-level estimate. This method is particularly useful in the early stages when detailed information is scarce.

Answer

Bottom-up estimation

Answer

Parametric estimation

Answer

Three-point estimation

Question 6

During project closing, which of the following is the primary purpose of the lessons learned document?

Accepted Answer

To provide information for future projects. The lessons learned document captures knowledge gained during the project — what went well, what didn't, and recommendations — to improve future project performance. Its primary purpose is organizational learning: feeding insights into the OPAs (Organizational Process Assets) so subsequent projects avoid repeating mistakes and replicate successes.

Answer

To document the project's financial performance

Answer

To formally accept the project deliverables

Answer

To release project resources

Question 7

A project manager has identified a risk that could cause a $50,000 loss with a 20% probability. What is the Expected Monetary Value (EMV) of this risk?

Accepted Answer

$10,000. EMV = Probability × Impact = 20% × $50,000 = $10,000. This is a quantitative risk analysis technique.

Answer

$50,000

Answer

$40,000

Answer

$25,000

Question 8

A project has a cost performance index (CPI) of 1.2 and a schedule performance index (SPI) of 0.9. Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

The project is under budget and behind schedule.. CPI of 1.2 indicates the project is under budget (cost efficiency is good), and SPI of 0.9 indicates the project is behind schedule (schedule efficiency is poor). Therefore, the project is under budget and behind schedule.

Answer

The project is over budget and behind schedule.

Answer

The project is under budget and ahead of schedule.

Answer

The project is over budget and ahead of schedule.

Question 9

A project manager is assigning resources to activities. Activity X requires a specialized skill that is only available from a contractor. The project manager decides to hire the contractor. Which TWO documents are most likely to be used to define the work and terms for this contractor? (Select TWO).

Accepted Answer

Statement of Work (SOW). The Statement of Work (SOW) [CORRECT] is the document that defines the work to be performed by the contractor, including deliverables, scope, and acceptance criteria, so it directly specifies what the contractor must do for Activity X. The Procurement contract [CORRECT] is the legally binding agreement that establishes the terms and conditions between the buyer and the seller, covering payment, schedule, and obligations for the hired contractor. The Project charter authorizes the project but does not define contractor work or terms, so it is not appropriate here. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) decomposes project deliverables into work packages but does not specify contractual terms or the contractor's obligations. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is used to solicit bids before selecting a contractor, not to define the final work and terms once the contractor is hired.

Answer

Project charter

Answer

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Answer

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Question 10

During project execution, the project manager notices that the team is struggling with communication, and key stakeholders are not receiving timely updates. Which THREE documents should the project manager review to improve the situation? (Select THREE).

Accepted Answer

Issue log. The Issue log (B) is correct because it records active problems such as the team's communication struggles and stakeholders missing updates, letting the project manager track and resolve these execution-phase issues. The Communication management plan (D) is correct because it defines who receives what information, in what format, and at what frequency, so reviewing it directly reveals and corrects the gaps in timely stakeholder updates. The Stakeholder register (E) is correct because it identifies each stakeholder's communication requirements, expectations, and influence, which is essential for targeting the right updates to the right people. The Risk register (A) is not selected because it deals with potential future uncertainties rather than the current, realized communication problem. The Work Breakdown Structure (C) is not selected because it only decomposes project scope and deliverables and contains no communication or stakeholder information.

Answer

Risk register

Answer

Work Breakdown Structure

Question 11

A project manager is closing a project. Which THREE activities are part of the project closure process? (Select THREE).

Accepted Answer

Release project resources. Option A (Release project resources) is correct because once the project is complete and deliverables are accepted, the team members, equipment, and other resources must be released back to the organization or reassigned to other projects as part of closing. Option C (Archive project documents) is correct because closure includes collecting, organizing, and storing project records, lessons learned, and final reports for future reference and audits. Option E (Obtain formal acceptance from the sponsor) is correct because formal sign-off confirms the deliverables meet requirements and is a prerequisite to closing the project. Option B (Implement risk response strategies) is not a closure activity; risk responses are executed during project execution and monitoring/controlling. Option D (Create the Work Breakdown Structure) is not a closure activity; the WBS is created during project planning.

Answer

Implement risk response strategies

Answer

Create the Work Breakdown Structure

Question 12

During which project phase is the project charter created?

Accepted Answer

Initiating. The project charter is created during the Initiating phase. This document formally authorizes the project and gives the project manager authority to apply resources. It is a key output of the Initiating process group, specifically the Develop Project Charter process.

Answer

Executing

Answer

Planning

Answer

Closing

Question 13

A project manager is analyzing stakeholders and categorizes a key executive who has high power and high interest. According to the power/interest grid, how should the project manager engage this stakeholder?

Accepted Answer

Manage closely. In the power/interest grid, a stakeholder with both high power and high interest falls into the 'Manage Closely' quadrant. These stakeholders have the authority to influence project decisions and are deeply invested in outcomes, so they require active, ongoing engagement and collaboration. The PM should involve them in decision-making and keep a close working relationship.

Answer

Keep informed

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Keep satisfied

Question 14

In a network diagram, Activity A has a duration of 5 days, Activity B has 3 days, and Activity C has 4 days. Activity A and B can start simultaneously, but Activity C cannot start until both A and B are complete. What is the critical path duration?

Accepted Answer

9 days. The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent activities. Activities A (5 days) and B (3 days) run in parallel, so the earliest they can both finish is day 5 (when A completes). Activity C (4 days) starts after both finish, so it runs from day 5 to day 9. Thus the total project duration is 5 + 4 = 9 days, making D the correct answer.

Answer

7 days

Answer

8 days

Answer

12 days

Question 15

Which cost estimation technique uses historical data from similar projects to estimate the current project?

Accepted Answer

Analogous. Analogous estimating uses historical data from similar past projects as the basis for estimating the current project's cost or duration. It is a top-down, expert-judgment technique that is fast and inexpensive but less accurate. The question's phrase 'historical data from similar projects' is the defining characteristic of analogous estimating.

Answer

Three-point

Answer

Bottom-up

Answer

Parametric