easyMultiple Select
PK0-005 Practice Question: A project manager is evaluating a project proposal
A project manager is evaluating a project proposal. Which TWO of the following criteria are most important for deciding whether to approve the project?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that financial metrics like profit or cost are the primary gatekeepers, but the PK0-005 exam emphasizes that strategic alignment is the foundational filter before any quantitative analysis is performed.
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
✓
Alignment with organizational strategy
Option B (Alignment with organizational strategy) is correct because project approval decisions in portfolio management prioritize projects that directly support the organization's strategic goals and objectives, ensuring resources are invested where they deliver the greatest business value. Option C (Availability of skilled resources) is correct because even a strategically aligned project cannot be approved or executed successfully if the organization lacks the necessary human capital and competencies to deliver it. Options A (Shortest duration), D (High profit potential), and E (Lowest cost among alternatives) are not the most important approval criteria; duration, profit, and cost are individual project attributes that must be weighed against strategic fit and resource feasibility, and a short, cheap, or profitable project that does not align with strategy or cannot be resourced should not be approved.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Shortest duration
Why it's wrong here
Duration measures schedule, not the business value or strategic alignment that approval decisions hinge on; a short project can still deliver negligible benefit. It is tempting because fast delivery appears low-risk, and would be relevant when ranking projects within a fixed deadline window rather than judging whether a proposal merits approval.
- ✓
Alignment with organizational strategy
Why this is correct
Alignment with organisational strategy ensures the proposal directly supports the company's stated objectives, which is the primary approval criterion in project selection. Projects consuming budget and resources without strategic fit dilute portfolio value, so this criterion satisfies the stem's requirement for the most important approval factors.
- ✓
Availability of skilled resources
Why this is correct
Skilled resource availability directly determines whether the project can be delivered within its schedule and budget constraints, since capability gaps force costly contractor hiring or extended timelines. Feasibility assessment therefore hinges on matching required competencies to the existing workforce, making this a core approval criterion alongside strategic alignment.
- ✗
High profit potential
Why it's wrong here
Profit potential alone ignores feasibility, risk and strategic fit, so it cannot by itself justify approval; a lucrative proposal may be undeliverable. It is tempting because financial return is a common selection factor, and would be decisive when comparing competing proposals with comparable risk and capability.
- ✗
Lowest cost among alternatives
Why it's wrong here
Lowest cost addresses budget efficiency, not whether the project delivers required benefits or aligns with objectives; cheap projects can still fail to justify investment. It is tempting because cost control is a standard constraint, and would be the correct criterion when choosing between equivalent options under a fixed funding cap.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.