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PK0-005 A project manager is creating the WBS Practice Question
A project manager is creating the WBS. Which THREE of the following are characteristics of a well-constructed WBS?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is selecting characteristics that are optional or incorrect, such as organization by phases or inclusion of out-of-scope tasks, instead of the core principles.
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
✓
Each level represents a smaller detail of the level above
A well-constructed WBS is hierarchical, so option A is correct: each descending level represents an increasingly detailed decomposition of the level above it, moving from the project deliverable down to work packages. Option B is correct because a proper WBS is deliverable-oriented, decomposing the project into tangible outputs (deliverables) rather than activities or organizational units. Option C is correct because the WBS must capture 100% of the work defined in the project scope—the '100% rule'—including all deliverables and, where relevant, project management work, with no scope omitted. Option D is not inherently a defining characteristic: organizing by project phases is merely one possible approach, and a WBS can instead be organized by product, deliverable, or other structures. Option E is incorrect because including administrative tasks not in scope violates the 100% rule and introduces scope creep, since the WBS may only contain work that is part of the approved project scope.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Each level represents a smaller detail of the level above
Why this is correct
Progressive elaboration: each descending level decomposes the parent into finer, more detailed components, so the lowest levels are work packages that can be estimated, scheduled and assigned. This hierarchical granularity satisfies the WBS characteristic that detail increases as you move down the structure.
- ✓
Deliverable-oriented decomposition
Why this is correct
The WBS is built around deliverables and outcomes rather than activities or departments, so every node names a tangible product or result. This orientation keeps decomposition focused on scope outputs, satisfying the characteristic that a well-constructed WBS is deliverable-oriented.
- ✓
Includes all work defined in the project scope
Why this is correct
The 100% rule: the WBS must capture all in-scope work, including project management and internal deliverables, and nothing outside scope. This completeness ensures no required work is omitted and no extra work is introduced, satisfying the scope-coverage characteristic.
- ✗
Organized by project phases
Why it's wrong here
Organising by project phases is a valid WBS approach, but the question asks for characteristics of a well-constructed WBS, and phase-based decomposition is merely one permitted structure, not a defining characteristic. It is tempting because phase organisation is common practise, yet deliverable orientation and the 100% rule are the actual criteria.
- ✗
Includes administrative tasks not in scope
Why it's wrong here
A well-constructed WBS contains only in-scope deliverables decomposed to work packages; administrative tasks outside scope introduce uncontrolled scope creep and break the 100% rule. It is tempting because such tasks feel necessary for tracking, but they belong in a separate activity list, not the deliverable hierarchy.
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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
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.