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?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is thinking that a defect fix is not a change and can be handled informally, but in predictive methodologies, any deviation from the baseline requires formal change control.
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 plan-based methodology, any change to the project baseline (scope, schedule, cost) must go through the formal change control process. The defect represents a significant issue that impacts the schedule and potentially cost and scope. The project manager should follow the change control process to evaluate the impact, document the change request, and obtain approval before implementing corrective actions. This ensures that stakeholders are informed and that changes are managed systematically.
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
Adding resources to compress a 10-day fix ignores that the 5-day buffer already absorbs part of the delay, and crashing a defect repair adds coordination overhead without shortening the critical path. It is tempting because schedule compression is valid when crashing genuinely shortens duration on the critical path.
- ✗
Immediately assign the team to fix the defect without any formal change request to save time.
Why it's wrong here
Fixing the defect without a change request bypasses the integrated change control process, so the schedule baseline, cost baseline and stakeholder expectations are never updated. It is tempting because acting quickly appears to protect the deadline, but formal change control is required whenever a change affects approved baselines.
- ✗
Inform the customer and request a change to the scope to remove the defective module.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the defective module changes agreed deliverables to dodge the fix, leaving a known defect in a completed component rather than correcting it. It is tempting because scope change is a legitimate route when a requirement is genuinely no longer wanted, but here the module is required and the defect must be remediated.
- ✓
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 change control ensures the defect's scope, schedule and cost impacts are formally assessed before corrective action, satisfying the predictive methodology's constraint that baseline changes require approved change requests. With only 5 days' buffer against 10 days' rework, this evaluation determines whether to escalate, re-baseline or fast-track.
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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: In a predictive (plan-based) methodology, any change to the project scope, schedule, or cost must go through the formal Integrated Change Control process. Since the requested feature was not in the original scope and will increase costs, it constitutes a change request. The project manager's next step is to submit this change request to the Change Control Board (CCB), which is the designated body responsible for reviewing, approving, or rejecting changes that impact project baselines. The project manager does not have the authority to unilaterally approve changes that affect cost baselines, even if the critical path is unaffected.
JA
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
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