CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
During the creation of the project schedule, a project manager needs to identify and document the logical relationships among activities. Which technique should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
CAPM often tests the confusion between PERT (a duration-estimating technique) and PDM (a relationship-diagramming technique) — candidates see 'schedule' in the question and reflexively pick PERT, missing the keyword 'logical relationships.'
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
✓
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
The Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) is the schedule network diagramming technique used specifically to identify and document logical relationships (dependencies) among activities — finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, and start-to-finish. It produces the project schedule network diagram that shows which activities must precede or follow others. PERT, by contrast, is a duration-estimation technique using weighted averages, not a relationship-mapping tool.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Why it's wrong here
PERT estimates activity durations using optimistic, pessimistic and most likely values; it does not document logical relationships. It is tempting because it belongs to schedule development, and it would be correct when the need is weighted duration estimating under uncertainty rather than sequencing.
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Resource leveling
Why it's wrong here
Resource leveling adjusts start and finish dates to resolve resource over-allocation; it does not identify or document logical relationships among activities. It is tempting because it modifies the schedule, and it would be correct when the constraint is limited resource availability rather than dependency definition.
- ✓
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
Why this is correct
PDM establishes logical relationships between activities using nodes and precedence links such as finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish. It directly documents dependencies, satisfying the requirement to identify and record logical relationships among activities during schedule creation.
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Gantt chart
Why it's wrong here
A Gantt chart displays schedule bars against a timeline; it does not identify or document logical relationships between activities. It is tempting because it visualises the schedule, and it would be the right artefact for communicating progress and durations once dependencies have already been defined.
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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.