Quick Answer
The correct answer is developing the project charter and identifying stakeholders, as these are the two key activities performed during the Initiating phase of a project. This phase formally authorizes the project or a new phase, with the project charter serving as the foundational document that grants the project manager authority and resources. Identifying stakeholders ensures all parties affected by or involved in the project are recognized early, setting the stage for effective communication and engagement. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish Initiating activities from those in Planning or Closing, a common trap being the inclusion of defining scope or creating a WBS, which belong to Planning. A reliable memory tip is to think of the Initiating phase as the "green light" moment: you get the charter signed and know who is in the room, but you do not yet plan the work.
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project life cycle phases. 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 TWO of the following are key activities performed during the Initiating phase of a project?
Define project scope
Why wrong: Defining scope is part of Planning.
Identify stakeholders
Stakeholder identification is a key initiating process.
Obtain formal acceptance of deliverables
Why wrong: Formal acceptance occurs in Closing.
Create work breakdown structure
Why wrong: WBS is created during Planning.
Develop project charter
The project charter authorizes the project and is created in Initiating.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Identify stakeholders
Identifying stakeholders and developing the project charter are key activities in Initiating. Defining the project scope occurs later in Planning, and creating the WBS is also a Planning activity. Obtaining formal acceptance is Closing.
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.
Define project scope
Why it's wrong here
Defining scope is part of Planning.
Identify stakeholders
Why this is correct
Stakeholder identification is a key initiating process.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Obtain formal acceptance of deliverables
Why it's wrong here
Formal acceptance occurs in Closing.
Create work breakdown structure
Why it's wrong here
WBS is created during Planning.
Develop project charter
Why this is correct
The project charter authorizes the project and is created in Initiating.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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
Identify which PK0-005 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Project Life Cycle Phases — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Project Life Cycle Phases — This question tests Project Life Cycle Phases — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Identify stakeholders — Identifying stakeholders and developing the project charter are key activities in Initiating. Defining the project scope occurs later in Planning, and creating the WBS is also a Planning activity. Obtaining formal acceptance is Closing.
Identify which PK0-005 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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 TWO of the following activities are typically performed during the initiation phase of a project?
easyWhy C: Developing the project charter and identifying stakeholders are initiation phase activities. Creating the WBS, developing the schedule, and defining scope are planning phase activities.
Variation 2. Which TWO activities are typically performed during the initiation phase of a project?
mediumWhy A: Options C and D are correct. The initiation phase includes identifying stakeholders and developing the project charter. Option A is incorrect because the WBS is created in planning. Option B is incorrect because the risk response plan is created in planning. Option E is incorrect because the schedule is developed in planning.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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