hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PK0-005 Practice Question: A project manager is reviewing the project budget…
A project manager is reviewing the project budget and notices that the actual cost is significantly higher than planned. The project manager wants to identify which specific work packages are causing the overrun. Which report or tool should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between a variance analysis report (which isolates work package-level cost variances) and an earned value report (which shows aggregate EVM metrics), leading candidates to mistakenly choose the earned value report when the question specifically asks for identifying which work packages are causing the overrun.
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
✓
Variance analysis report
A variance analysis report compares planned (budgeted) costs against actual costs at the work package level, enabling the project manager to pinpoint specific packages causing the cost overrun. This report directly supports the control costs process by calculating cost variance (CV = EV - AC) and schedule variance (SV = EV - PV) for each work package, isolating the source of the overrun.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Status report
Why it's wrong here
Status report gives high-level summary, not detailed variance.
- ✓
Variance analysis report
Why this is correct
Variance analysis report compares planned vs actual costs at work package level.
- ✗
Pareto chart
Why it's wrong here
Pareto chart prioritizes issues but does not provide cost variance per work package.
- ✗
Earned value report
Why it's wrong here
Earned value report provides overall cost and schedule performance, not detailed per work package.
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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.