hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PK0-005 Practice Question: During project execution, a project manager…
During project execution, a project manager notices that team members are spending excessive time on non-essential tasks, and the project is falling behind schedule. Which tool should the project manager use first to identify the root cause of the delays?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse a Pareto chart (which prioritizes known issues) with root cause analysis, failing to recognize that the fishbone diagram is the appropriate first step when the cause is unknown and no quantitative data exists.
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
✓
Fishbone diagram
The fishbone diagram (Ishikawa diagram) is the correct first tool because it is designed for root cause analysis, helping the project manager systematically brainstorm and categorize potential causes of delays (e.g., people, process, tools) before collecting data. Unlike other tools, it does not require pre-existing quantitative data, making it ideal for the initial investigative step when the root cause is unknown.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Gantt chart
Why it's wrong here
A Gantt chart shows when tasks are delayed but not why.
- ✓
Fishbone diagram
Why this is correct
Fishbone diagram helps identify root causes of problems like delays.
- ✗
Pareto chart
Why it's wrong here
Pareto chart prioritizes causes already identified; not the first tool for root cause analysis.
- ✗
RACI matrix
Why it's wrong here
RACI matrix assigns responsibility, not root cause analysis.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every PK0-005 question from scratch — 980 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.