Quick Answer
The correct first step is to obtain approval for a project charter. This is essential because, according to PMI standards, a project charter formally authorizes the project, grants the project manager the authority to apply organizational resources, and establishes a direct link to strategic objectives. Without it, the project lacks official sanction and clear direction, making any subsequent planning or execution invalid. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Initiating process group and the critical role of the charter in governance. A common trap is to jump into creating a schedule or assigning tasks, but the charter must come first to legitimize the work. Remember the memory tip: "No charter, no authority"—always secure the signed document before taking any other action.
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project management concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project manager is assigned to a project that has already started without a formal project charter. What should the project manager do first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Obtain approval for a project charter
Charter is essential to authorize the project and assign the PM.
Create a work breakdown structure
Why wrong: WBS should be done after the charter is in place.
Develop a project management plan
Why wrong: The plan is created after the charter.
Identify stakeholders
Why wrong: Stakeholder identification typically occurs after the charter.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Obtain approval for a project charter
Without a formal project charter, the project lacks official authorization and a clear link to organizational objectives. The project manager must first obtain approval for a project charter to secure the authority to apply organizational resources and formally initiate the project, as defined by PMI standards.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Obtain approval for a project charter
Why this is correct
Charter is essential to authorize the project and assign the PM.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Create a work breakdown structure
Why it's wrong here
WBS should be done after the charter is in place.
Develop a project management plan
Why it's wrong here
The plan is created after the charter.
Identify stakeholders
Why it's wrong here
Stakeholder identification typically occurs after the charter.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that planning activities like creating a WBS or management plan can proceed without formal authorization, but the exam emphasizes that the charter must be approved first to establish the project's legitimacy and the project manager's authority.
Detailed technical explanation
The project charter formally authorizes the project and names the project manager, granting them the authority to use organizational resources. In practice, without a signed charter, the project manager has no official standing to request budget, assign team members, or make binding decisions, which can lead to scope creep and resource conflicts. PMBOK Guide emphasizes that the charter is the first deliverable in the Initiating process group.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
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Project Management Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Obtain approval for a project charter — Without a formal project charter, the project lacks official authorization and a clear link to organizational objectives. The project manager must first obtain approval for a project charter to secure the authority to apply organizational resources and formally initiate the project, as defined by PMI standards.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PK0-005 exam.
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