PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Question
During the planning phase, a project manager is creating the WBS. Which of the following best describes the process of breaking down deliverables into smaller, more manageable components?
⚠ Common exam trap
PK0-005 often tests terminology confusion between WBS construction techniques (decomposition) and scheduling/estimating techniques (rolling wave, analogous, PDM) — candidates pick a familiar-sounding process without matching it to the WBS context.
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
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Decomposition
Decomposition is the PMBOK term for breaking down project deliverables and work into smaller, more manageable components, ultimately producing the work packages at the lowest level of the WBS. It is the core technique used during the Create WBS process. The other options are scheduling or estimating techniques, not WBS construction methods.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Decomposition
Why this is correct
Decomposition is the technique that splits WBS deliverables into progressively smaller, manageable work packages, satisfying the stem's requirement to break deliverables down during planning. It defines the lowest-level components that can be estimated, scheduled and assigned, which is precisely what the project manager needs before basing cost and duration estimates on them.
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Rolling wave planning
Why it's wrong here
Rolling wave planning progressively elaborates work packages only as they near execution, deferring detail rather than decomposing all deliverables now. It tempts because it also subdivides work, and would be correct where far-future deliverables cannot yet be defined.
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Analogous estimating
Why it's wrong here
Analogous estimating derives duration or cost from comparable past projects; it does not decompose deliverables into components. It tempts because it is a planning-phase estimating technique, and would be correct when a rough order-of-magnitude figure is needed quickly with limited detail.
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Precedence diagramming
Why it's wrong here
Precedence diagramming sequences activities and maps dependencies, producing a network diagram rather than decomposing deliverables. It tempts because it is a planning-phase technique, and would be correct when determining the order in which scheduled activities must be performed.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.