CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A project manager is developing a work breakdown structure (WBS) for a software development project. The team is struggling with defining the lowest-level work packages. Which technique should the project manager use to ensure the WBS is complete and properly decomposed?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse decomposition with rolling wave planning, thinking that progressive elaboration is the same as breaking down the WBS, but decomposition is a distinct, structured technique applied upfront to create a complete WBS, not a phased planning approach.
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
✓
Decomposition
Decomposition is the correct technique because it is the process of subdividing project deliverables into smaller, more manageable components until the work package level is reached. This directly addresses the team's struggle with defining the lowest-level work packages, ensuring the WBS is complete and properly decomposed by breaking down deliverables iteratively.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Decomposition
Why this is correct
Decomposition is the technique that subdivides deliverables into work packages.
- ✗
Critical path method
Why it's wrong here
Critical path method is a schedule analysis technique, not related to WBS decomposition.
- ✗
Expert judgment
Why it's wrong here
Expert judgment is a tool used during decomposition, but the technique itself is decomposition.
- ✗
Rolling wave planning
Why it's wrong here
Rolling wave planning is a form of progressive elaboration, not the technique for initially decomposing the WBS.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every CAPM question from scratch — 487 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI 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 CAPM exam.