Quick Answer
The correct conclusion is that the project is behind schedule and under budget. This is determined by interpreting the SPI and CPI in earned value management: an SPI of 0.8, being less than 1.0, means the project has earned only 80% of the value planned for the time spent, indicating a schedule delay; a CPI of 1.1, being greater than 1.0, means the project is earning $1.10 of value for every dollar spent, showing cost efficiency and a budget surplus. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this question tests your ability to read earned value metrics and avoid the common trap of confusing the two indices—many test-takers mistakenly think a high CPI means a schedule problem. A simple memory tip is to remember that “SPI is for Schedule” (both start with S) and “CPI is for Cost” (both start with C), and that values below 1 are bad (behind or over), while values above 1 are good (ahead or under).
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of tools and documentation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An IT project manager is using a project management software tool to track progress. The tool shows that the project's SPI is 0.8 and CPI is 1.1. Which conclusion can the project manager draw about the project's performance?
The project is behind schedule and over budget.
Why wrong: CPI > 1 means under budget, not over.
The project is on schedule and on budget.
Why wrong: SPI != 1 and CPI != 1, so not on schedule or budget.
The project is ahead of schedule and over budget.
Why wrong: SPI < 1 indicates behind schedule, not ahead.
The project is behind schedule and under budget.
SPI=0.8 (behind schedule), CPI=1.1 (under budget).
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The project is behind schedule and under budget.
The SPI (Schedule Performance Index) of 0.8 indicates that the project is behind schedule, as SPI < 1 means less progress was achieved than planned. The CPI (Cost Performance Index) of 1.1 indicates the project is under budget, as CPI > 1 means the earned value exceeds the actual cost. Therefore, the project is behind schedule and under budget, making option D correct.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The project is behind schedule and over budget.
Why it's wrong here
CPI > 1 means under budget, not over.
The project is on schedule and on budget.
Why it's wrong here
SPI != 1 and CPI != 1, so not on schedule or budget.
The project is ahead of schedule and over budget.
Why it's wrong here
SPI < 1 indicates behind schedule, not ahead.
The project is behind schedule and under budget.
Why this is correct
SPI=0.8 (behind schedule), CPI=1.1 (under budget).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the direction of the indices, mistakenly thinking CPI > 1 means over budget and SPI < 1 means ahead of schedule, when in fact the opposite is true.
Detailed technical explanation
SPI is calculated as Earned Value (EV) divided by Planned Value (PV); a value below 1.0 means the project has earned less value than planned for the work scheduled. CPI is EV divided by Actual Cost (AC); a value above 1.0 means the project is earning more value per dollar spent than budgeted. In project management software tools, these indices are recalculated dynamically as tasks are updated, providing real-time performance metrics that inform corrective actions.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Tools and Documentation — This question tests Tools and Documentation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The project is behind schedule and under budget. — The SPI (Schedule Performance Index) of 0.8 indicates that the project is behind schedule, as SPI < 1 means less progress was achieved than planned. The CPI (Cost Performance Index) of 1.1 indicates the project is under budget, as CPI > 1 means the earned value exceeds the actual cost. Therefore, the project is behind schedule and under budget, making option D correct.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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