Quick Answer
The answer is three-point estimating and parametric estimating. Three-point estimating is correct because it accounts for uncertainty by calculating an average using optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely durations, often refined with a weighted formula like PERT. Parametric estimating is the other correct technique, as it uses historical data and statistical relationships—such as cost per square meter or hours per unit—to produce objective, data-driven duration estimates based on measurable parameters. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish standard estimating techniques from less common or non-standard options; a common trap is confusing analogous estimating (which uses whole-project history) with parametric estimating (which uses unit-level parameters). Remember the memory tip: “Three points for uncertainty, parameters for precision”—if you see a formula involving optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely, it’s three-point; if you see a rate like hours per task, it’s parametric.
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project management concepts. 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.
A project manager is developing a project schedule and needs to estimate activity durations. Which TWO techniques are commonly used for estimating activity durations? (Choose two.)
Critical path method
Why wrong: A scheduling method, not an estimating technique.
Parametric estimating
Uses historical data and statistical relationships.
Three-point estimating
Uses optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely estimates.
Monte Carlo simulation
Why wrong: A simulation technique, not a basic estimating technique.
Analogous estimating
Why wrong: Also a technique, but not part of the two correct ones here.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Parametric estimating
Parametric estimating (B) uses historical data and statistical relationships between variables (e.g., cost per square meter, hours per unit) to calculate activity durations. It is a standard technique in project schedule development because it provides objective, data-driven estimates based on measurable parameters.
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.
Critical path method
Why it's wrong here
A scheduling method, not an estimating technique.
Parametric estimating
Why this is correct
Uses historical data and statistical relationships.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Three-point estimating
Why this is correct
Uses optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely estimates.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Monte Carlo simulation
Why it's wrong here
A simulation technique, not a basic estimating technique.
Analogous estimating
Why it's wrong here
Also a technique, but not part of the two correct ones here.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the distinction between techniques used for estimating durations (parametric, three-point) versus techniques used for schedule analysis (critical path method, Monte Carlo simulation), leading candidates to confuse CPM with an estimation method.
Detailed technical explanation
Parametric estimating multiplies a unit rate (e.g., 10 hours per line of code) by the quantity of work (e.g., 500 lines) to produce a duration estimate. Three-point estimating (C) uses optimistic (O), most likely (M), and pessimistic (P) values to calculate a weighted average (often via PERT: (O+4M+P)/6), which accounts for uncertainty and risk in each activity. Both techniques are defined in the PMBOK Guide under the 'Estimate Activity Durations' process.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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Project Management Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Parametric estimating — Parametric estimating (B) uses historical data and statistical relationships between variables (e.g., cost per square meter, hours per unit) to calculate activity durations. It is a standard technique in project schedule development because it provides objective, data-driven estimates based on measurable parameters.
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 30, 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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