PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Question
Which document formally authorizes a project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources?
⚠ Common exam trap
PK0-005 often tests the distinction between the project charter and the project management plan, as both are foundational documents but serve different purposes.
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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Project charter
The project charter is the document that formally authorizes a project and gives the project manager authority to apply organizational resources. It is typically issued by the project sponsor or initiating entity and marks the official start of the project.
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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Project management plan
Why it's wrong here
The project management plan describes how the project will be executed, monitored and controlled; it does not authorise the project or confer resource authority. It is tempting as the umbrella planning document, but it would be correct when asked which artefact integrates subsidiary plans, not which formally charters the work.
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Project charter
Why this is correct
The project charter is the document that formally authorises the project's existence and grants the project manager authority to apply organisational resources to its activities. It names the project manager, states objectives and defines constraints, satisfying the requirement for formal authorisation and resource authority.
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Project scope statement
Why it's wrong here
The project scope statement details deliverables, boundaries and acceptance criteria; it confers no authority to apply organisational resources. It is tempting because it is produced during initiation alongside the charter, but it would be correct when the question asks what documents scope boundaries and exclusions rather than what authorises the project.
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Work breakdown structure
Why it's wrong here
A work breakdown structure decomposes deliverables into manageable components; it grants no authority and authorises nothing. It is tempting because it is a core planning artefact created early, but it would be the correct choice when the question asks how scope is hierarchically decomposed, not what formally charters the project.
About these practice questions
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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.