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PK0-005 Practice Question: The project manager for a large infrastructure…
You are the project manager for a large infrastructure project that involves upgrading the network switches across five regional offices. The project has a budget of $500,000 and a deadline of six months. During the third month, you receive a report that the vendor has encountered a manufacturing defect in the switches, causing a two-month delay. Additionally, the cost to replace the defective switches will be $100,000 over budget. The project sponsor is concerned about the impact on the business and wants to know the best way to move forward. There is a possibility that the vendor can expedite shipping for an additional $50,000, but it will only save one month. Alternatively, you can switch to a different vendor, but that would require renegotiating contracts and retesting, adding three months to the schedule. Another option is to descope one of the regional offices to reduce costs and time. However, that office is critical for an upcoming product launch. What is the BEST course of action for the project manager?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers choose a single 'solution' (like expedited shipping or switching vendors) without recognizing that the project manager's role is to facilitate decision-making by presenting trade-offs, not to unilaterally decide on a course of action that may conflict with sponsor priorities or exceed authority.
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
✓
Perform a trade-off analysis and present options to the project sponsor for a decision.
The project manager should perform a trade-off analysis and present options to the sponsor because no single option clearly meets all constraints (budget, schedule, quality, and business criticality) without further evaluation. A trade-off analysis quantifies the impact of each alternative on scope, cost, time, and risk, enabling an informed decision aligned with organizational priorities. This aligns with the PMBOK process of performing integrated change control and ensures the sponsor understands the implications before committing resources.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Switch to a different vendor to ensure quality and avoid further defects.
Why it's wrong here
Switching vendors would cause a longer delay and may not be feasible.
- ✗
Descope the critical regional office to meet the original budget and schedule.
Why it's wrong here
Descoping a critical office could harm the upcoming product launch and business goals.
- ✗
Accept the vendor's expedited shipping option and use contingency reserves to cover the additional cost.
Why it's wrong here
This option still increases costs and does not fully recover the schedule.
- ✓
Perform a trade-off analysis and present options to the project sponsor for a decision.
Why this is correct
A trade-off analysis allows the sponsor to make an informed decision based on cost, schedule, and scope impacts.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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