PK0-005 Project Management Concepts Practice Question
Which project life cycle phase involves formally accepting the project deliverables and releasing resources?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the Executing phase with Closing, because many candidates assume that once deliverables are produced, the project is essentially done, but formal acceptance and resource release are distinct Closing activities.
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
✓
Closing
The Closing phase is where the project manager obtains formal acceptance of the deliverables from the customer or sponsor, confirms that all contractual obligations are met, and then releases project resources (team members, equipment, facilities). This phase also includes administrative closure activities such as archiving documents, capturing lessons learned, and finalizing procurement closures. Unlike other phases, Closing is specifically designed to transition the project output to the intended recipient and disband the project team.
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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Planning
Why it's wrong here
Planning defines scope, schedule and approach before work begins; no deliverables exist yet to accept. It is tempting because acceptance criteria are written here, but the formal sign-off and resource release occur in closing, not planning.
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Executing
Why it's wrong here
Executing is where the work producing deliverables is carried out, not where they are formally accepted. It is tempting because deliverables are created during this phase, but sign-off, transition and resource release happen in closing, after execution ends.
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Closing
Why this is correct
Closing is the phase where deliverables undergo formal acceptance sign-off and contracted resources are released, satisfying the stem's requirement for both acceptance and resource release. These activities occur after verification in Controlling, confirming the product is complete and the team can be disbanded.
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Initiating
Why it's wrong here
Initiating authorises the project and defines its charter; deliverables are neither accepted nor resources released there. It is tempting because it is the phase where the project formally begins, but closing is where acceptance, transition and team release occur.
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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.