PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Question
A project manager is closing out a project that was terminated early by the sponsor due to shifting business priorities. The deliverables were only partially completed, and several contracts remain open. What should the project manager do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that early termination eliminates the need for formal project closure activities.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Initiate the close project or phase process and document the reason for termination in the final report.
When a project is terminated early, the Close Project or Phase process is still mandatory. The project manager must document the termination reason, capture lessons learned, close open contracts, release resources, and archive project information. Initiating this process first ensures all subsequent closure activities are performed in a structured and documented manner, preserving organizational knowledge.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Immediately release all team members and close all contracts before any documentation.
Why it's wrong here
Releasing team members and closing contracts are activities that occur as part of, or after, formal closure procedures. Doing these first without initiating the Close Project or Phase process skips essential steps like capturing lessons learned, obtaining final approvals, and archiving project documents, which could result in lost organizational knowledge and unresolved contractual obligations.
- ✗
Escalate to the PMO to determine whether the project should be reopened before taking any action.
Why it's wrong here
The sponsor has already made the decision to terminate the project. Escalating to the PMO to reconsider reopening contradicts the sponsor's authority and delays necessary closure activities. The project manager's responsibility is to execute the closure process, not to challenge or reverse a strategic decision made by the project sponsor.
- ✗
Transfer the remaining deliverables to the operations team without any formal closure activities.
Why it's wrong here
Transferring deliverables to operations is part of the Close Project or Phase process, not a substitute for it. Without formal closure, the project lacks documented acceptance, lessons learned, and financial reconciliation. Simply handing off partial deliverables ignores the administrative and contractual requirements that must be fulfilled even when a project ends prematurely.
- ✓
Initiate the close project or phase process and document the reason for termination in the final report.
Why this is correct
Even when a project is terminated early, the Close Project or Phase process must still be performed. This includes documenting the reason for termination, capturing lessons learned, and formally closing out the project. It ensures organizational knowledge is retained and all administrative closure activities are completed regardless of whether deliverables were finished.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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