PK0-005 Project Management Concepts Practice Question
In which organizational structure does the project manager have the least authority over project resources?
⚠ Common exam trap
PK0-005 often tests the authority spectrum by reversing the question — candidates confuse 'least authority' with 'most authority' or assume matrix structures always give the PM more power than functional, when in fact functional is the weakest.
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
✓
Functional
In a functional organizational structure, staff are grouped by specialty (e.g., IT, finance, HR) and report to functional managers who control budgets, resources, and assignments. The project manager has little to no formal authority and must negotiate for resources, often acting more as a coordinator. This is the weakest PM authority position on the classic PM authority spectrum: Functional < Weak Matrix < Balanced Matrix < Strong Matrix < Projectized.
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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Projectized
Why it's wrong here
PM has full authority in projectized.
- ✓
Functional
Why this is correct
In a functional organisation, work is grouped by department and the functional manager controls budgets, assignments and priorities. The project manager coordinates across functions with little or no formal authority, giving the least authority over project resources of any structure.
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Balanced matrix
Why it's wrong here
Balanced matrix splits authority between functional and project managers, so the project manager retains meaningful influence over resources. The least authority occurs in functional organisation, where line managers own resources and the project manager coordinates only. Balanced matrix is tempting because matrix structures vary, but this one shares rather than minimises authority.
- ✗
Strong matrix
Why it's wrong here
Strong matrix tilts authority toward the project manager, who controls much of the budget and resource allocation. The least authority sits with functional structures, where the project manager has little say over staff assignments. Strong matrix is tempting because it is a matrix variant, but its balance favours the project side.
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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.