CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A software development project is using a predictive approach with a detailed project schedule based on the critical path method (CPM). The project is currently in the execution phase. The team reports that a critical task (Task X) is two weeks behind schedule. Task X has a total float of 0 and has two immediate successors: Task Y and Task Z, both of which are also on the critical path. The project manager has the ability to add resources to overlapping tasks. The project sponsor is concerned about the schedule delay and wants a recovery plan. The project manager needs to determine the best course of action to get the project back on track without impacting quality or budget excessively.
⚠ Common exam trap
CAPM often tests schedule compression techniques. Candidates might choose fast-tracking because it sounds efficient, but fast-tracking critical path successors when the predecessor is incomplete can lead to rework and quality issues. Crashing is the more controlled approach when resources can be added.
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
✓
Crash Task X by adding more resources to complete it faster.
Task X is on the critical path with zero total float, meaning any delay directly impacts the project end date. Crashing involves adding resources to critical path tasks to shorten their duration, which is a schedule compression technique. Since the project manager can add resources to overlapping tasks, crashing Task X is the most direct way to recover the schedule without changing scope or re-baselining.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reduce the scope of Task X to meet the original deadline.
Why it's wrong here
Cutting Task X's scope changes the agreed deliverable and requires change control, and the stem forbids impacting quality. Scope reduction suits projects where the sponsor accepts descoping. Recovery here needs schedule compression on Task X, such as crashing via added resources.
- ✗
Re-baseline the schedule to reflect the delay and inform the sponsor.
Why it's wrong here
Re-baselining merely records the two-week slip as the new plan; it does not recover the schedule the sponsor requested. Re-baselining suits approved scope or schedule changes after change control. The stem demands a recovery plan, so compression of Task X is needed.
- ✓
Crash Task X by adding more resources to complete it faster.
Why this is correct
Crashing adds resources to a critical-path task to shorten duration, directly addressing Task X's two-week slip. With zero float and successors Y and Z also critical, any delay propagates to the project end date, so compressing Task X is the targeted recovery action, accepting the added cost crashing entails.
- ✗
Fast-track the successors by starting them as soon as possible even if the predecessor is incomplete.
Why it's wrong here
Starting successors before Task X completes breaks the mandatory finish-to-start dependency, risking rework and quality loss. Fast-tracking suits activities with discretionary dependencies that can safely overlap. Here the critical path requires compressing Task X itself, for example by crashing with added resources.
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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
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.