PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Question
In a precedence diagramming method (PDM) network, a successor activity cannot start until its predecessor activity has started. Which type of dependency does this represent?
⚠ Common exam trap
PK0-005 often tests the four PDM dependency types by swapping the start/finish words; candidates who memorize only FS (the default) misread SS as 'successor finishes when predecessor starts' and pick SF.
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
✓
Start-to-start (SS)
A Start-to-Start (SS) dependency means the successor activity cannot begin until the predecessor has started. This is the definition given in the question — the successor's start is gated by the predecessor's start, not its finish. SS is commonly used when two activities must run in parallel with a lead/lag relationship.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Start-to-finish (SF)
Why it's wrong here
Start-to-finish ties the successor's finish to the predecessor's start, not the successor's start to the predecessor's start. It is tempting because it references a start event, but SF would be correct for activities such as shift handover.
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Finish-to-finish (FF)
Why it's wrong here
Finish-to-finish ties the successor's finish to the predecessor's finish, not its start. It is tempting because both activities overlap in time, but FF would be correct when a successor cannot complete until its predecessor has completed.
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Finish-to-start (FS)
Why it's wrong here
Finish-to-start requires the predecessor to finish before the successor starts, which contradicts the stem's condition that the predecessor need only have started. It is tempting as the most common PDM dependency, and would be correct for sequential handoffs.
- ✓
Start-to-start (SS)
Why this is correct
Start-to-start (SS) dependency defines exactly this relationship: the successor's start is gated by the predecessor's start, not its completion. It satisfies the stem's constraint that the successor cannot begin until the predecessor has begun, distinguishing it from finish-to-start, where the predecessor must finish first.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.