PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Question
Which TWO documents are typically created during the project initiating phase?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates mix up artifacts from different process groups — status reports, WBS, and risk register sound project-related but belong to Executing/Monitoring or Planning, not Initiating.
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
✓
Stakeholder register
The project initiating phase produces the documents that formally authorize the project and begin identifying the people involved. Option C, the project charter, is correct because it is the document that formally authorizes the existence of the project and gives the project manager authority to apply organizational resources to project activities. Option A, the stakeholder register, is correct because stakeholder identification is performed during initiating, and the stakeholder register is the output that records identified stakeholders and relevant information about them. Option B, the status report, is not part of initiating; status reports are created during project execution and monitoring/controlling to communicate progress. Option D, the work breakdown structure, is not part of initiating; the WBS is created during project planning as part of scope management. Option E, the risk register, is not part of initiating; it is an output of the risk management processes performed during planning.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Stakeholder register
Why this is correct
The stakeholder register is produced during initiating, alongside the project charter, as the output that identifies everyone with an interest in the project. It satisfies the stem's requirement for an initiating-phase document because stakeholder identification happens before planning begins.
- ✗
Status report
Why it's wrong here
Status reports are produced during executing and monitoring, reporting progress against the baselined plan; initiating yields the charter and stakeholder register. It is tempting because communication begins early, but a status report requires execution data that does not yet exist.
- ✓
Project charter
Why this is correct
The project charter formally authorises the project and is the defining output of the initiating phase. It satisfies the stem because it is created before planning, granting the project manager authority and documenting high-level requirements and objectives.
- ✗
Work breakdown structure
Why it's wrong here
The WBS is decomposed during planning, after the charter authorises the project and scope is defined; initiating produces the charter and stakeholder register. It is tempting because deliverables are discussed at initiation, but decomposition into work packages is a planning activity.
- ✗
Risk register
Why it's wrong here
The risk register is compiled during planning, once scope, stakeholders and constraints are known, not in the initiating phase where the charter and stakeholder register are produced. It is tempting because risk identification begins early, but the formal register belongs to planning.
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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
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