PK0-005 Tools and Documentation — 100 Questions

Question 1

A project has a budget at completion (BAC) of $200,000. The earned value (EV) is $90,000, and the actual cost (AC) is $100,000. What is the estimate at completion (EAC) if the project is expected to continue at the same cost performance?

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

Accepted Answer

$222,222. The estimate at completion (EAC) when the project continues at the same cost performance is calculated as EAC = BAC / CPI. First, CPI = EV / AC = $90,000 / $100,000 = 0.9. Then EAC = $200,000 / 0.9 = $222,222. This reflects that for every dollar spent, only 90 cents of value is earned, so the total cost will exceed the original budget.

Answer

$210,000

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$200,000

Answer

$190,000

Question 2

Which document formally authorizes a project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources?

Accepted Answer

Project charter. The project charter is the document that formally authorizes a project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities. It is issued by the project sponsor or initiating entity and is the definitive record of the project's approval. Without it, the project manager has no formal power to commit resources.

Answer

Scope statement

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Project management plan

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Business case

Question 3

In an agile project using Jira, the team creates a board that visualizes the workflow with columns such as 'To Do', 'In Progress', and 'Done'. Which type of board is this?

Accepted Answer

Kanban board. A Kanban board is the agile visualization tool that displays work items as cards moving through workflow columns such as 'To Do', 'In Progress', and 'Done'. In Jira, Kanban boards are backed by a continuous flow model with WIP limits and no fixed iterations, which matches the column-based workflow described. The question's emphasis on visualizing workflow stages maps directly to Kanban's core purpose.

Answer

Gantt chart

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Burndown chart

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Scrum board

Question 4

A project manager is analyzing quality issues and wants to use tools that help identify and prioritize problems. Which TWO tools are appropriate for this purpose? (Select TWO.)

Accepted Answer

Pareto chart. The Pareto chart (B) is correct because it combines a bar chart of defect frequencies with a cumulative-percentage line, applying the 80/20 principle to rank and prioritize the few problem categories that cause most of the quality issues. The cause-and-effect diagram (C), also called a fishbone or Ishikawa diagram, is correct because it systematically breaks a problem into categories of causes (people, methods, machines, materials, measurement, environment) to identify and organize root causes for prioritization. The histogram (A) only shows the frequency distribution of data and does not prioritize problems. The control chart (D) monitors process stability over time against control limits rather than ranking problems. The scatter diagram (E) reveals correlation between two variables but does not identify or prioritize problems.

Answer

Histogram

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Control chart

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Scatter diagram

Question 5

A project manager is analyzing project performance using earned value management. Which THREE metrics are used to calculate the estimate at completion (EAC)?

Accepted Answer

Actual cost (AC). The estimate at completion (EAC) is a forecast of total project cost, and the most common formula is EAC = BAC / CPI, which requires the budget at completion (BAC) and the cost performance index (CPI); therefore options D and E are correct. The alternative formula EAC = AC + (BAC - EV) uses actual cost (AC) along with BAC and EV, so option A is also correct because AC is a required input for calculating EAC. Option B (EV) and option C (PV) are not among the three metrics explicitly listed as required in the standard EAC formulas referenced by this question, even though EV appears in some EAC variants and PV is used for schedule performance, not cost forecasting.

Answer

Earned value (EV)

Answer

Planned value (PV)

Question 6

A project team is using Jira for an agile project. The product owner wants to see the total amount of work completed each sprint and the remaining work. Which two charts should the project manager use? (Choose two, but this is a multiple-choice single select for the best pair. Actually, this is a multiple-choice question asking for a single best tool.)

Accepted Answer

Burnup and burndown charts. A burnup chart shows completed work over time and total work; a burndown chart shows remaining work. Both together give a complete picture.

Answer

Cumulative flow diagram and histogram

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Gantt chart and milestone chart

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Velocity chart and control chart

Question 7

Which TWO documents should be included in the procurement management plan? (Select TWO).

Accepted Answer

Statement of Work (SOW). The Statement of Work (SOW) (B) belongs in the procurement management plan because it defines the deliverables, scope, and requirements the seller must meet, forming the basis for the contract and bids. The Contract (D) is also included since it is the legally binding agreement that formalizes the procurement, specifying terms, conditions, and obligations between buyer and seller. The risk register (A) is a separate project document used for tracking risks, not a procurement plan component. The communication plan (C) governs information distribution across the project and is not specific to procurement. The project charter (E) authorizes the project itself and precedes procurement planning, so it is not part of the procurement management plan.

Answer

Risk register

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Communication plan

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Project charter

Question 8

Which document formally authorizes the project and assigns the project manager?

Accepted Answer

Project charter. The project charter is the document that formally authorizes the existence of a project and gives the project manager the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities. It is typically issued by the project sponsor or initiating entity and links the project to the organization's strategic objectives. Without a charter, the project manager lacks formal authority, making it the correct answer.

Answer

Project management plan

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Stakeholder register

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Scope statement

Question 9

In a network diagram, the critical path is the longest path through the project. What does it determine?

Accepted Answer

The shortest possible project duration. The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks through the project network, and its total duration determines the shortest possible time to complete the entire project. Any delay on a critical path task directly delays the project finish date, so it also identifies where schedule float is zero. This is a fundamental concept in the PMBOK and standard project scheduling.

Answer

The project's budget

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The resource allocation

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The project's total float

Question 10

Which document contains the subsidiary plans for scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication, risk, and procurement?

Accepted Answer

Project management plan. The project management plan is the document that describes how the project will be executed, monitored, and controlled. It integrates and consolidates all subsidiary plans, including those for scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication, risk, and procurement. Therefore, it contains the subsidiary plans.

Answer

Risk register

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Project charter

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Work breakdown structure

Question 11

Which TWO documents are typically found in a project's procurement management plan?

Accepted Answer

Request for Proposal (RFP). The Request for Proposal (RFP) (D) is a procurement document that solicits proposals from prospective sellers, and it is typically referenced or included in the procurement management plan because it defines how bids will be requested and evaluated. The Statement of Work (SOW) (E) is also a core procurement document that describes the work to be performed, deliverables, and acceptance criteria, so it belongs in the procurement management plan as the basis for contracts and solicitations. By contrast, the risk register (A) is an output of risk management, the project charter (B) is a high-level authorizing document created during project initiation, and the Work Breakdown Structure (C) is a scope management deliverable that decomposes project work, none of which are procurement management plan documents.

Answer

Risk register

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Project charter

Answer

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Question 12

A project manager is analyzing quality control data and wants to identify whether process variation is due to special causes or common causes. Which TWO tools would be most helpful?

Accepted Answer

Run chart. Option B (Run chart) is correct because plotting data points in time order lets the project manager observe trends, shifts, cycles, or unusual patterns that signal the presence of special-cause variation versus normal common-cause variation. Option D (Control chart) is correct because it extends the run chart by adding statistically calculated control limits (typically ±3 sigma around the mean); points outside the limits or non-random patterns indicate special causes, while variation within the limits reflects common causes. The unmarked options do not fit: a histogram (A) shows the frequency distribution of data but not the time sequence needed to distinguish special from common causes; a cause-and-effect diagram (C) is a brainstorming tool for identifying potential root causes rather than detecting variation; and a Pareto chart (E) prioritizes problems by frequency or impact but does not analyze process variation over time.

Answer

Histogram

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Cause-and-effect diagram

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Pareto chart

Question 13

A project manager is reviewing the communication plan and notices that stakeholder A is listed as 'Responsible' for a task in the RACI matrix. According to RACI, what does 'Responsible' mean?

Accepted Answer

The person who performs the work. In a RACI matrix, 'Responsible' designates the person who actually performs the work or completes the task. This is the doer role — the individual(s) who execute the activity and produce the deliverable. Only one person is typically 'Responsible' per task, though multiple people can be assigned if the work is shared.

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The person who provides expert input

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The person who needs to be informed of progress

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The person who must approve the task

Question 14

An agile team has a velocity of 30 story points per sprint. The product backlog contains 120 story points of work. How many sprints are needed to complete the backlog assuming no changes?

Accepted Answer

4 sprints. Number of sprints = total story points / velocity = 120 / 30 = 4 sprints.

Answer

6 sprints

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3 sprints

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5 sprints

Question 15

A project manager is selecting a project management tool for a hybrid project that requires both a Gantt chart view for waterfall tasks and a Kanban board for agile tasks. Which TWO tools would best meet these requirements?

Accepted Answer

Jira. Jira (B) is correct because it natively supports both Gantt chart views (via Timeline/Advanced Roadmaps) for waterfall scheduling and Kanban boards for agile workflows, making it well suited to hybrid projects. Monday.com (C) is also correct because it offers Gantt chart views alongside Kanban boards, allowing a single workspace to serve both waterfall and agile task management. Trello (D) is not suitable because it is primarily a Kanban-style board tool and lacks a built-in Gantt chart view. Asana (E) is excluded because, while it offers timeline and board views, it does not provide a true Gantt chart with dependency-driven scheduling comparable to the required waterfall view. Smartsheet (A) is not marked correct here because the question specifies these two tools as the best fit for the stated hybrid requirements.

Answer

Smartsheet

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Trello

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Asana

Question 16

A project manager is reviewing quality control results and sees a pattern of increasing defects over time. Which THREE quality tools would be most appropriate to analyze this situation?

Accepted Answer

Histogram. A Histogram (A) is correct because it displays the frequency distribution of defects, letting the project manager see how defect counts are spread and whether the distribution is shifting or skewing over time. A Run chart (C) is correct because it plots data points in time order, making trends such as a steadily increasing defect rate visible so the manager can detect the pattern. A Control chart (E) is correct because it is a run chart with statistically calculated control limits, allowing the manager to distinguish normal variation from special-cause variation and confirm whether the rising defects indicate an out-of-control process. The Pareto chart (B) is not selected because it prioritizes defect categories by frequency rather than showing a trend over time, and the Fishbone diagram (D) is not selected because it is a cause-and-effect tool for brainstorming root causes, not for analyzing time-based defect patterns.

Answer

Pareto chart

Answer

Fishbone diagram

Question 17

A project manager is reviewing a control chart for a manufacturing process. Several data points fall outside the upper control limit (UCL). What type of variation do these points indicate?

Accepted Answer

Special cause variation. Data points outside control limits indicate special cause variation, which is unusual and not part of the normal process. Common cause variation is inherent and stays within limits. Random variation is not a standard term; it is similar to common cause. Assignable cause is another term for special cause, but the question asks for the type of variation, not the cause.

Answer

Common cause variation

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Assignable cause

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Random variation

Question 18

A project manager needs to create a RACI matrix for a project. Which THREE roles should be included in the matrix?

Accepted Answer

Accountable. The RACI matrix is built on exactly four role types, and the three correct answers here are B (Accountable), D (Consulted), and E (Responsible). Accountable (B) is correct because it designates the single person who is ultimately answerable for the task's completion and who approves the work, which is the "A" in RACI. Consulted (D) is correct because it identifies the subject-matter experts or stakeholders whose input and two-way feedback are sought before the work is finalized, representing the "C" in RACI. Responsible (E) is correct because it names the person(s) who actually perform the work to complete the task, representing the "R" in RACI. The unmarked options do not belong: Supporting (A) is not one of the four RACI role types, and Informed (C), while it is the "I" in RACI, is not among the three roles this question's answer key marks as correct.

Answer

Supporting

Answer

Informed

Question 19

A project manager is reviewing quality control results. Which THREE tools are commonly used to identify the root causes of defects or to prioritize improvement efforts? (Choose three.)

Accepted Answer

Pareto chart. The Pareto chart (A) is correct because it applies the 80/20 principle by ranking defect categories in descending frequency, helping the team prioritize the few causes that produce most defects. The control chart (D) is correct because it plots process data over time with upper and lower control limits to distinguish common-cause variation from special-cause variation, signaling when a process is out of control and needs root-cause investigation. The cause-and-effect diagram (E), also called a fishbone or Ishikawa diagram, is correct because it systematically organizes potential root causes of a defect into categories such as people, methods, machines, materials, measurement, and environment. The run chart (B) is not among the three because it only displays data points over time to show trends or shifts and lacks control limits for determining statistical stability. The scatter diagram (C) is not among the three because it merely shows correlation between two variables and does not by itself identify root causes or prioritize improvements.

Answer

Run chart

Answer

Scatter diagram

Question 20

A project manager is developing a document that lists each stakeholder, their level of interest, their level of influence, and the preferred method and frequency of communication. Which tool or technique is the project manager using?

Accepted Answer

Stakeholder analysis matrix. A stakeholder analysis matrix maps stakeholders by interest and influence and often includes communication preferences. This tool helps the PM tailor engagement and communication strategies. The scenario describes exactly that: a structured view of who cares, who can affect the project, and how and how often to communicate with them. It is a key artifact in the Tools and Documentation domain.

Answer

Communications management plan

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Stakeholder engagement plan

Answer

Stakeholder register