hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PK0-005 Fast Tracking Practice Question
A software development project is currently in the execution phase. The project manager has a team of 10 developers and 2 testers. The project is scheduled to be completed in 6 months, with a budget of $500,000. At the end of month 3, the project manager reviews the status and finds that only 40% of the work is complete, whereas 50% was planned. The actual cost incurred is $280,000. The project manager calculates the CPI as 0.71 and the SPI as 0.80. The project sponsor is concerned and asks for a recovery plan. The project manager must decide the best course of action. Which action should the project manager take?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates may incorrectly choose crashing (adding resources) because it directly addresses schedule delays, but fail to consider that the project is already over budget, making fast tracking more appropriate.
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
✓
Fast track the project by starting tasks concurrently
The project is behind schedule (SPI 0.8) and over budget (CPI 0.71). The sponsor wants a recovery plan. Since the project is already over budget, crashing (adding more developers) would increase costs further, which is not advisable. Fast tracking (starting tasks concurrently) can help recover the schedule without adding significant cost, although it does increase risk of rework. Reducing scope requires formal change and may not be acceptable. Replacing senior with junior developers would likely worsen quality and schedule. Therefore, fast tracking is the best immediate action in this situation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add more developers to critical path tasks to catch up on schedule
Why it's wrong here
Adding more developers (crashing) increases cost, which is problematic given the project is already over budget (CPI 0.71). This is not the best option.
- ✓
Fast track the project by starting tasks concurrently
Why this is correct
Fast tracking allows schedule compression without significant cost increase, addressing the schedule delay while not worsening the cost overrun. This is the best choice.
- ✗
Reduce the project scope to align with the current progress
Why it's wrong here
Reducing scope requires formal change control and may not be acceptable to the sponsor or stakeholders.
- ✗
Replace senior developers with junior ones to reduce cost
Why it's wrong here
Replacing senior developers with juniors would likely reduce quality and slow progress further, worsening both schedule and cost.
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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.