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PK0-005 Practice Question: A project manager needs to determine the…
A project manager needs to determine the project's success criteria before the project is initiated. Which document should contain these criteria?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that success criteria belong in the project schedule or risk register because candidates confuse operational planning documents with the high-level authorization document that sets the project's strategic direction.
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
✓
Project charter
The project charter is the document that formally authorizes the project and defines high-level success criteria, including measurable project objectives and key stakeholder expectations. According to the PMBOK Guide, the project charter is created during the Initiating process group and must contain the business case, high-level risks, and the criteria that will be used to determine whether the project is successful. Without these criteria defined in the charter, there is no agreed-upon baseline for evaluating project performance or closure.
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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Project schedule
Why it's wrong here
A project schedule sequences activities, durations and dependencies; it contains no success criteria. It is tempting because schedule milestones can resemble targets. The business case, created during pre-project activity, defines the measurable success criteria against which the project will later be judged.
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Risk register
Why it's wrong here
The risk register records identified threats, their probability, impact and responses during the project; it does not hold success criteria. It is tempting because risk tolerance thresholds relate to objectives. Success criteria belong in the business case, which justifies the project and defines measurable outcomes before initiation.
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Lessons learned
Why it's wrong here
Lessons learned capture retrospective knowledge at project closure, so they cannot define criteria before initiation. They are tempting because they document what success looked like in past projects, which can inform criteria. The business case, produced during pre-project work, is where success criteria are actually defined and agreed.
- ✓
Project charter
Why this is correct
The project charter authorises the project and documents its high-level requirements, objectives and success criteria, so it directly satisfies the need to define these before initiation. Business cases and benefits management plans may reference benefits, but the charter is the formal artefact that records measurable success criteria at authorisation.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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