PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Question
A project manager is developing the project schedule and needs to determine the earliest date the project can finish. The team has identified all activities and their dependencies. Which technique should the project manager use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is selecting a technique that adjusts or simulates the schedule instead of the one that directly calculates earliest finish dates.
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
✓
Critical path method (CPM) forward pass.
The critical path method forward pass calculates earliest start and finish dates by traversing the network from start to finish using durations and dependencies. The longest path through the network determines the earliest project completion. Resource leveling, Monte Carlo simulation, and critical chain address different concerns such as resource constraints, probabilistic outcomes, and buffer management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Monte Carlo simulation.
Why it's wrong here
Monte Carlo simulation uses probabilistic estimates to model possible schedule outcomes and confidence levels. It provides a range of completion dates rather than a single earliest finish based on deterministic durations. The scenario describes deterministic activity durations and dependencies, so simulation is not the appropriate technique.
- ✓
Critical path method (CPM) forward pass.
Why this is correct
The forward pass calculates the earliest start and finish dates for each activity by moving from the project start through the network, using activity durations and dependencies. The result identifies the earliest possible project completion date. This is exactly what the project manager needs to determine the earliest finish.
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Resource leveling.
Why it's wrong here
Resource leveling adjusts the schedule to resolve resource over-allocation, which can extend the project duration. It does not determine the earliest possible finish; instead, it often changes dates to fit resource limits. The project manager needs the unconstrained earliest finish before applying leveling.
- ✗
Critical chain method.
Why it's wrong here
The critical chain method adds buffers and accounts for resource availability and multitasking behavior. It focuses on protecting the project completion date rather than calculating the earliest possible finish from the network. The scenario does not mention resource constraints or buffer management, so this technique does not apply.
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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.