PK0-005 Project Management Concepts Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are primary responsibilities of the project manager? (Select two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
PK0-005 often tests role boundaries by including sponsor and executive responsibilities as distractors, so candidates must distinguish PM duties from those of the sponsor, PMO, or senior leadership.
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
✓
Communicating project status to stakeholders
Option B is correct because communicating project status to stakeholders is a core project manager responsibility—the PM provides regular performance reports, progress updates, and status information to keep stakeholders informed and manage expectations. Option D is correct because managing the project team—including assigning work, motivating members, resolving conflicts, and developing team capabilities—is a fundamental PM duty throughout the project lifecycle. Option A is not a PM responsibility; project funding is typically provided by the sponsor or executive management, not the PM. Option C is not a PM responsibility; defining the company's strategic goals belongs to senior leadership or executive management. Option E is not a PM responsibility; issues escalated above the PM's authority are resolved by the sponsor or higher management, not the PM.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Providing project funding
Why it's wrong here
Funding is approved by the sponsor or executive committee, who own the business case and budget; the PM only tracks and reports spend against it. It is tempting because the PM manages the budget day to day, and would be correct for controlling costs within the approved baseline.
- ✓
Communicating project status to stakeholders
Why this is correct
Communicating project status to stakeholders is a core project manager duty, satisfying the stem's requirement for primary responsibilities. The project manager owns performance reporting, translating schedule, budget and risk data into stakeholder-appropriate updates. This differs from the sponsor, who authorises and funds, and the PMO, which defines standards. Regular status communication sustains alignment and informed decision-making.
- ✗
Defining the company's strategic goals
Why it's wrong here
Strategic goals are set by executive leadership, and the PM aligns the project to them rather than defining them. It is tempting because the PM does translate strategy into scope, schedule and deliverables, and would be correct for defining project objectives derived from that strategy.
- ✓
Managing the project team
Why this is correct
Managing the project team sits squarely within the project manager's remit: directing, motivating and developing the people assigned to the project, resolving resource conflicts, and maintaining performance so deliverables meet scope, schedule and budget constraints. This people-management duty is distinct from the sponsor's funding and escalation role.
- ✗
Resolving escalated issues above the PM's authority
Why it's wrong here
Escalated issues sit above the project manager's authority, so the PM routes them to the sponsor or steering committee rather than resolving them. It is tempting because the PM does own issue resolution within their authority, and would handle risks and blockers at that level.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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