CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A project manager is developing a work breakdown structure (WBS) for a construction project. Which approach should be used to ensure all deliverables are identified?
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 process of breaking down deliverables into smaller components, which ensures all are identified. Other options are estimating or planning techniques.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Analogous estimating
Why it's wrong here
Analogous estimating derives duration or cost from comparable past projects; it identifies no deliverables and produces no decomposition. It is tempting because it is quick and cheap during early estimating, and would be the right choice when a rough order-of-magnitude figure is needed before detailed scope is defined.
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Bottom-up estimating
Why it's wrong here
Bottom-up estimating aggregates cost or duration from the lowest-level components once a WBS already exists; it cannot create the deliverable hierarchy itself. It is tempting because it is accurate and detailed, and would be correct when estimating a project whose scope has already been decomposed into work packages.
- ✓
Decomposition
Why this is correct
Decomposition breaks the project scope into progressively smaller, manageable work packages, ensuring every deliverable is captured at the lowest level. This directly satisfies the stem's requirement that all deliverables be identified, since the WBS is built by subdividing scope until each component is defined and verifiable.
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Rolling wave planning
Why it's wrong here
Rolling wave planning progressively elaborates deliverables for near-term work while deferring later detail, so it cannot guarantee every deliverable is identified upfront. It is tempting because it suits long, uncertain projects, but complete WBS decomposition requires the top-down or analogous approach instead.
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