Quick Answer
The answer is the scope baseline, schedule baseline, and cost baseline. These three form the core baseline trio of a project management plan because each represents an approved, formally controlled version of a key constraint—scope, time, and cost—against which actual project performance is measured and managed. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this concept tests your understanding that baselines are not optional; they are the fixed reference points for tracking variance and controlling changes through integrated change control. A common trap is confusing subsidiary plans (like the risk or quality plan) with baselines, but remember: only scope, schedule, and cost have baselines that are formally approved and frozen. A helpful memory tip is the “Triple Baseline Triangle”—scope, schedule, and cost are the three legs that support every project management plan.
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.
Which THREE of the following are key components of a project management plan?
Schedule baseline
Schedule baseline is the approved project schedule.
Risk register
Why wrong: Risk register is a separate document, not part of PM plan.
Cost baseline
Cost baseline is the approved budget.
Scope baseline
Scope baseline is approved scope statement, WBS, WBS dictionary.
Issue log
Why wrong: Issue log is a project document, not part of PM plan.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Schedule baseline
The schedule baseline (A) is a key component of the project management plan because it is the approved version of the project schedule that serves as a reference against which actual performance is measured. It includes start and end dates for activities, milestones, and dependencies, and is part of the project management plan's baseline trio. Without the schedule baseline, there is no formal benchmark for tracking schedule variance or managing changes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Schedule baseline
Why this is correct
Schedule baseline is the approved project schedule.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Risk register
Why it's wrong here
Risk register is a separate document, not part of PM plan.
Cost baseline
Why this is correct
Cost baseline is the approved budget.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Scope baseline
Why this is correct
Scope baseline is approved scope statement, WBS, WBS dictionary.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Issue log
Why it's wrong here
Issue log is a project document, not part of PM plan.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'components of the project management plan' (baselines and subsidiary plans) and 'project documents' (risk register, issue log, stakeholder register) to see if candidates confuse operational artifacts with formal planning components.
Detailed technical explanation
The project management plan is a formal, approved document that defines how the project is executed, monitored, and controlled. Its key components include the scope baseline (scope statement, WBS, WBS dictionary), schedule baseline (schedule model with approved start/finish dates), and cost baseline (time-phased budget). These baselines are controlled through integrated change control, and any deviation requires a formal change request. In real-world scenarios, failing to distinguish between baselines and project documents leads to scope creep and uncontrolled cost overruns.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Schedule baseline — The schedule baseline (A) is a key component of the project management plan because it is the approved version of the project schedule that serves as a reference against which actual performance is measured. It includes start and end dates for activities, milestones, and dependencies, and is part of the project management plan's baseline trio. Without the schedule baseline, there is no formal benchmark for tracking schedule variance or managing changes.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which THREE of the following are components of the project management plan as defined in the PMBOK Guide?
mediumWhy B: The schedule baseline (B) is a component of the project management plan because it is an approved version of the schedule model that is used as a basis for comparison to actual results. The PMBOK Guide defines the project management plan as including baselines such as the schedule, cost, and scope baselines, which are used to measure project performance.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are components of the project management plan?
mediumWhy B: The project management plan is the formal, approved document that defines how the project is executed, monitored, and controlled. The scope baseline (which includes the scope statement, WBS, and WBS dictionary) and the schedule baseline (which includes the approved schedule model) are key components of this plan, as they establish the performance measurement baselines against which project progress is measured.
Variation 3. Which TWO of the following are components of the project management plan?
mediumWhy D: The scope baseline and schedule baseline are formal, approved components of the project management plan. The scope baseline consists of the scope statement, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and WBS dictionary, while the schedule baseline is the approved version of the project schedule. Both are essential for measuring and controlling project performance.
Variation 4. A project manager is reviewing the key components of a project management plan. Which THREE of the following are typically included in a project management plan?
hardWhy C: The schedule baseline (C) is a key component of the project management plan because it is the approved version of the project schedule that serves as a reference point against which actual progress is measured. It includes start and end dates for activities, milestones, and dependencies, and any changes to it must go through formal change control.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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