The answer is Bob. In a hierarchical organizational chart, direct reporting lines are indicated by solid vertical lines connecting roles, meaning Developer 1’s immediate supervisor is Bob, who holds the authority for task assignment, performance management, and work review. This structure establishes clear accountability, where Bob is directly responsible for Developer 1’s output and professional development, as opposed to indirect oversight from higher-level managers. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this concept tests your ability to interpret an organizational chart’s direct reporting relationships, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must identify who holds direct authority over a specific team member. A common trap is confusing dotted-line (functional) reporting with solid-line (direct) reporting, so always trace the unbroken vertical line. Memory tip: think of the solid line as a “direct link” of responsibility—if you can draw a straight line from the role up to the manager, that manager is directly accountable.
PK0-005 Project Management Concepts Practice Question
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Exhibit: Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS) extract
Project Manager: Alice
- Development Team Lead: Bob
- Developer 1: Carol
- Developer 2: Dave
- Testing Team Lead: Eve
- Tester 1: Frank
- Business Analyst: Grace
Based on the exhibit, who is directly responsible for the work of Developer 1?
Refer to the exhibit.
Exhibit: Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS) extract
Project Manager: Alice
- Development Team Lead: Bob
- Developer 1: Carol
- Developer 2: Dave
- Testing Team Lead: Eve
- Tester 1: Frank
- Business Analyst: Grace
A
Grace
Why wrong: Grace is business analyst, not in charge of developers.
B
Eve
Why wrong: Eve manages testers, not developers.
C
Bob
Bob is Development Team Lead, directly managing developers.
D
Alice
Why wrong: Alice is project manager, but Bob is direct supervisor.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Bob
In a typical organizational chart for a project, the reporting structure shows that Developer 1 reports directly to Bob, who is the team lead or manager. Bob is therefore directly responsible for assigning tasks, reviewing work, and managing Developer 1's performance. This is based on the hierarchical lines of authority depicted in the exhibit.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Grace
Why it's wrong here
Grace is business analyst, not in charge of developers.
✗
Eve
Why it's wrong here
Eve manages testers, not developers.
✓
Bob
Why this is correct
Bob is Development Team Lead, directly managing developers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Alice
Why it's wrong here
Alice is project manager, but Bob is direct supervisor.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between direct supervisory roles and other project roles like project manager or sponsor, causing candidates to confuse the project manager's authority with line management responsibility.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In project management, the responsibility assignment matrix (RAM) or organizational breakdown structure (OBS) clarifies reporting relationships. Direct responsibility means the person has authority to assign work, approve time off, and conduct performance reviews. This is distinct from the project manager's role, which focuses on scope, schedule, and budget rather than direct personnel management.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Bob — In a typical organizational chart for a project, the reporting structure shows that Developer 1 reports directly to Bob, who is the team lead or manager. Bob is therefore directly responsible for assigning tasks, reviewing work, and managing Developer 1's performance. This is based on the hierarchical lines of authority depicted in the exhibit.
What should I do if I get this PK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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