Quick Answer
The answer is mandatory dependency. This is correct because the relationship between foundation work and framing is governed by a physical or contractual requirement—the framing simply cannot begin until the foundation is structurally complete, making it a hard logic constraint inherent in the nature of the work. On the Certified Associate in Project Management CAPM exam, this distinction tests your ability to differentiate between dependencies that are unavoidable (mandatory) versus those that are based on team preference or best practice (discretionary). A common trap is confusing a discretionary dependency, like wanting to finish design before coding begins, with a mandatory one; remember that mandatory dependencies are often tied to legal or physical laws, not just team choice. A useful memory tip: think of mandatory as “must-do” logic—if the sequence is dictated by physics or a contract, it’s mandatory, not optional.
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of predictive plan-based methodologies. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project manager is developing the project schedule for a construction project. The team has identified that the foundation work must be completed before the framing can begin. Which type of dependency does this represent?
Mandatory dependency
Mandatory dependencies are inherent in the nature of the work, such as physical or legal requirements.
Lead
Why wrong: A lead is a schedule compression technique, not a dependency type.
Discretionary dependency
Why wrong: Discretionary dependencies are based on best practices, not physical constraints.
External dependency
Why wrong: External dependencies involve relationships outside the project team.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Mandatory dependency
The dependency between foundation work and framing is a mandatory dependency because it is physically required that the foundation be completed before framing can begin. In construction, this is a hard logic constraint inherent in the nature of the work, not a preference or external factor. Mandatory dependencies are often referred to as 'hard logic' and are typically based on contractual requirements or physical limitations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Mandatory dependency
Why this is correct
Mandatory dependencies are inherent in the nature of the work, such as physical or legal requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Lead
Why it's wrong here
A lead is a schedule compression technique, not a dependency type.
Discretionary dependency
Why it's wrong here
Discretionary dependencies are based on best practices, not physical constraints.
External dependency
Why it's wrong here
External dependencies involve relationships outside the project team.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'mandatory dependency' with 'discretionary dependency' because they think all logical sequences are discretionary, but mandatory dependencies are those dictated by the nature of the work itself, not by preference or best practice.
Detailed technical explanation
In project scheduling, mandatory dependencies are often defined by the project's contractual or physical constraints and are represented as 'finish-to-start' (FS) relationships in the precedence diagramming method (PDM). For example, in construction, concrete curing time creates a mandatory lag that cannot be shortened without compromising structural integrity. Real-world scenarios where this matters include critical path analysis, where violating a mandatory dependency would cause rework or safety hazards.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — This question tests Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Mandatory dependency — The dependency between foundation work and framing is a mandatory dependency because it is physically required that the foundation be completed before framing can begin. In construction, this is a hard logic constraint inherent in the nature of the work, not a preference or external factor. Mandatory dependencies are often referred to as 'hard logic' and are typically based on contractual requirements or physical limitations.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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