Quick Answer
The answer is developing the project management plan, as this is the primary responsibility of the project manager during the planning phase. This is correct because the planning phase is defined by the creation of the comprehensive project management plan, which integrates all subsidiary plans and baselines to guide execution, monitoring, and closure. On the Certified Associate in Project Management CAPM exam, this question tests your understanding of the process groups and knowledge areas, specifically that developing the project management plan belongs to the Planning Process Group, while activities like directing and managing work (executing) or closing procurements (closing) belong elsewhere. A common trap is confusing planning-phase deliverables with execution-phase actions, such as acquiring resources or performing quality assurance. To remember this, think of the PMBOK Guide’s process flow: you cannot execute or close without first having a plan, so the project manager’s core job in the planning phase is to develop that plan.
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of project management fundamentals and core concepts. 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 leading a team in a matrix organization where team members report to both a functional manager and the project manager. The project is in the planning phase. What is the primary responsibility of the project manager during this phase?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Managing team conflicts
Why wrong: Conflict management is typically during execution.
Assigning daily tasks to team members
Why wrong: This is more of an executing activity.
Closing out the project
Why wrong: Closing is the final process group.
Developing the project management plan
Developing the project management plan is a primary planning activity.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Developing the project management plan
Option B is correct because developing the project management plan is a key activity in the planning phase. Options A and C are more relevant to the executing phase, and option D belongs to closing.
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.
Managing team conflicts
Why it's wrong here
Conflict management is typically during execution.
Assigning daily tasks to team members
Why it's wrong here
This is more of an executing activity.
Closing out the project
Why it's wrong here
Closing is the final process group.
Developing the project management plan
Why this is correct
Developing the project management plan is a primary planning activity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CAPM exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts — This question tests Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Developing the project management plan — Option B is correct because developing the project management plan is a key activity in the planning phase. Options A and C are more relevant to the executing phase, and option D belongs to closing.
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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