PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Question
A project manager is estimating the cost of a new software development project. Since the project is similar to a previous one, the manager uses the cost of the previous project as a basis, adjusting for known differences. Which cost estimation technique is being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
PK0-005 often tests the distinction between analogous and parametric estimation — candidates see 'previous project' and 'adjusting' and may overthink it into parametric, but the key signal is a single comparable project, not a rate-based formula.
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
✓
Analogous estimation
Analogous estimation uses historical data from a similar past project as the basis for estimating the current project, adjusting for known differences. The scenario explicitly describes using a previous project's cost as a reference point, which is the textbook definition of analogous (top-down) estimating.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Parametric estimation
Why it's wrong here
Parametric estimation multiplies unit rates by quantities via a statistical model, such as cost per line of code. It needs measurable drivers, not a single analogous project; the stem describes adjusting one prior project's actual cost, which is analogy.
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Bottom-up estimation
Why it's wrong here
Bottom-up estimation sums individual work-package estimates into a total, requiring detailed decomposition of every component. It is correct for well-defined scopes needing high accuracy, but the stem uses one whole previous project as the baseline, which is analogy.
- ✓
Analogous estimation
Why this is correct
Analogous estimation uses historical data from a comparable past project as the basis, then adjusts for known differences. This top-down technique suits the scenario because the new project closely resembles the previous one, making prior cost a reliable anchor.
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Three-point estimation
Why it's wrong here
Three-point estimation averages optimistic, most likely and pessimistic figures using a weighted formula, which requires per-activity ranges rather than a single historical total. It suits risk-heavy tasks with uncertain durations, not analogy-based scaling of one comparable past project.
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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.