CAPM Practice Question: Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
During project planning, the team identifies that the project requires a specific vendor for a critical component. Which process group is being executed?
⚠ Common exam trap
CAPM often tests the boundary between Planning (deciding what to procure and how) and Executing (actually conducting the procurement), so candidates who see 'vendor' and jump to Executing pick the wrong process group.
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
✓
Planning
Identifying that a specific vendor is required for a critical component is part of procurement planning, which occurs in the Planning process group. Planning encompasses all activities that establish the project scope, schedule, cost, and resource strategies — including make-or-buy decisions and vendor selection criteria. Since this is happening 'during project planning,' the Planning process group is being executed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Initiating
Why it's wrong here
Initiating authorises the project and defines its high-level scope; identifying a specific vendor for a critical component occurs while planning procurement, not during authorisation. It is tempting because vendor selection feels foundational, but Initiating covers the project charter, not detailed procurement planning.
- ✗
Closing
Why it's wrong here
Closing finalises procurements, settles contracts and archives records; identifying a vendor requirement at planning stage is the opposite end of the lifecycle. It is tempting because both Closing and this activity involve contracts, but Closing handles completed agreements, not newly identified procurement needs.
- ✗
Executing
Why it's wrong here
Executing carries out the planned work and completes procurements; identifying the vendor requirement happens before that, during planning. It is tempting because vendor engagement sounds like doing work, but Executing assumes the procurement approach is already planned, which the stem describes as still being determined.
- ✓
Planning
Why this is correct
Identifying a required vendor for a critical component occurs while developing the project management plan and its subsidiary plans, such as procurement and resource management. This work sits squarely within the Planning process group, satisfying the stem's "during project planning" constraint rather than Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, or Initiating.
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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.