CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A project manager is estimating activity durations for a software development project. The team has historical data from similar projects, but the current project involves new technology that could cause delays. Which estimating technique should the project manager use to account for uncertainty?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often choose analogous estimating (B) because it seems quick and uses past data, but they miss that new technology invalidates the similarity assumption, making three-point estimating the correct choice for uncertainty.
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
✓
Three-point estimating
Three-point estimating (C) is correct because it explicitly accounts for uncertainty by using optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic estimates. The new technology introduces unknown risks, making the triangular or PERT distribution ideal for modeling the potential delay range.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Parametric estimating
Why it's wrong here
Uses statistical relationships, not uncertainty ranges.
- ✗
Analogous estimating
Why it's wrong here
Uses similar projects, less accurate.
- ✓
Three-point estimating
Why this is correct
Incorporates uncertainty via three values.
- ✗
Bottom-up estimating
Why it's wrong here
Detailed but does not handle uncertainty explicitly.
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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.