PK0-005 Project Management Concepts Practice Question
Which project life cycle phase involves obtaining formal acceptance of the project deliverables and releasing project resources?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the Closing phase with Monitoring and Controlling, as both involve acceptance-related activities, but only Closing includes formal acceptance and resource release.
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 is formally concluded. This includes obtaining formal acceptance of the final deliverables from the customer or sponsor, archiving project documents, releasing project resources (team members, equipment, etc.), and performing lessons learned. It is the only phase that encompasses these final wrap-up activities.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Executing
Why it's wrong here
Executing covers producing deliverables and coordinating work, not closing. Formal acceptance and resource release occur in the Closing phase, where the project charter's completion criteria are verified and team members are released. Executing is tempting because most effort and budget are consumed there, making it feel like the end, but acceptance sign-off has not yet occurred.
- ✓
Closing
Why this is correct
Closing secures formal sign-off of deliverables through the acceptance process, then releases team members, budget and equipment. It satisfies the stem's twin requirements: obtaining formal acceptance and freeing project resources, which occur only after verification confirms the deliverables meet specification.
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Planning
Why it's wrong here
Planning defines scope, schedule and resources before execution; formal acceptance and resource release happen at closure. It is tempting because acceptance criteria are written during planning, and planning would be correct when establishing those criteria and the verification approach.
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Monitoring and controlling
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring and controlling tracks performance against the plan and handles change requests; it does not obtain deliverable sign-off or release team resources. It is tempting because acceptance often occurs alongside control activities, and it would be correct for measuring variance and approving corrective actions.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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