CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A project manager is leading a software development project using a predictive plan-based methodology. The project is at 70% completion and the team has discovered a significant defect in a module that was completed two months ago. The defect was not identified during testing because the test cases were incomplete. The project schedule has a buffer of 5 days, and the defect is expected to take 10 days to fix. The project manager needs to determine the best course of action. Which of the following should the project manager do?
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
✓
Follow the project's change control process to evaluate the impact on scope, schedule, and cost before deciding on corrective actions.
In a predictive project, changes should be managed through the formal change control process. This ensures that the impact on scope, schedule, and cost is evaluated before taking action. Simply assigning the fix without a change request bypasses controls, removing the module changes scope without analysis, and requesting additional resources without a plan is premature.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Update the project schedule with the 10-day fix and request additional resources to compress the schedule.
Why it's wrong here
This assumes approval without formal evaluation and may not be realistic.
- ✗
Immediately assign the team to fix the defect without any formal change request to save time.
Why it's wrong here
This bypasses change control and could lead to uncontrolled changes.
- ✗
Inform the customer and request a change to the scope to remove the defective module.
Why it's wrong here
This changes the scope without proper impact analysis and may not be acceptable.
- ✓
Follow the project's change control process to evaluate the impact on scope, schedule, and cost before deciding on corrective actions.
Why this is correct
Following the change control process is the appropriate action to assess and manage the impact of the defect fix.
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on CAPM
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During the execution phase of a software development project, the team discovers a critical bug that requires an immediate fix. The project manager uses the contingency reserve to address this. Which plan-based process is being applied?
easy- A.Direct and Manage Project Work
- B.Monitor and Control Project Work
- C.Close Project or Phase
- ✓ D.Perform Integrated Change Control
Why D: D is correct because using the contingency reserve to address a critical bug requires a formal change request to authorize the release of funds from the reserve. This aligns with the Perform Integrated Change Control process, which evaluates, approves, and manages changes to project baselines, including the cost baseline. The project manager must submit a change request, which is then reviewed by the Change Control Board (CCB) before the contingency reserve can be applied.
Variation 2. During the execution phase of a predictive project, the team discovers that a key deliverable does not meet the acceptance criteria defined in the project management plan. What is the FIRST step the project manager should take?
easy- A.Re-baseline the schedule
- B.Conduct a root cause analysis
- ✓ C.Initiate a change request
- D.Update the risk register
Why C: The first step is to initiate a change request to correct the defect, as changes to deliverables require formal change control. Updating the risk register or re-baselining without change authorization is incorrect. Root cause analysis may follow but is not the immediate first step.
Variation 3. During project execution, a stakeholder requests a new feature that was not in the original scope. The project manager determines that the feature can be accommodated without affecting the critical path, but will increase costs. According to the predictive plan-based methodology, what should the project manager do NEXT?
hard- A.Approve the change to improve stakeholder satisfaction
- B.Inform the stakeholder that the change cannot be accepted
- ✓ C.Submit the change request to the change control board
- D.Update the project management plan to include the feature
Why C: All changes must go through formal change control. The project manager should submit a change request to the change control board (CCB) for evaluation and approval. Approving the change unilaterally or updating the plan without approval violates the change management process.
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.