CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A project manager is developing the project charter for a new office relocation project. The sponsor has provided a high-level description of the business need. Which input is essential for developing the project charter?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse outputs of later planning processes, such as the WBS or risk register, with inputs that precede the charter's authorization.
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
✓
Project statement of work
The project statement of work is the correct input because it describes the business need and the product or service to be delivered, which the sponsor uses to authorize the project. The work breakdown structure, project management plan, and risk register are all created later in the project life cycle, so they cannot serve as inputs to developing the project charter.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Project management plan
Why it's wrong here
The project management plan is developed after the project charter and integrates all subsidiary plans. It is not an input to charter development; rather, the charter is an input to developing the project management plan. Using it as an input would reverse the chronological order of project processes.
- ✗
Work breakdown structure
Why it's wrong here
The work breakdown structure is created after the project charter is approved, during the planning phase. It decomposes project deliverables into smaller components. It cannot be an input to charter development because the charter authorizes the project and the project manager, and the WBS is derived from the scope baseline that follows.
- ✗
Risk register
Why it's wrong here
The risk register is an output of the Identify Risks process, which occurs during planning, well after the project charter is created. It documents identified risks and responses. It cannot be an input to the charter because risks are identified only after the project is authorized and planning begins.
- ✓
Project statement of work
Why this is correct
The project statement of work is a narrative description of products, services, or results to be delivered by the project. It provides the business need, scope description, and strategic plan. For a project charter, it is a key input because it defines the project's purpose and boundaries, enabling the sponsor to authorize the project formally.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PMI exam blueprint
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.