CAPM Practice Question: Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
In a predictive project life cycle, which of the following best describes the relationship between scope, time, and cost?
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
✓
Scope is fixed, time and cost are estimated.
In a predictive project life cycle, the scope is defined and fixed early in the project, while the time and cost are estimated based on that scope. Therefore, Option B correctly states that scope is fixed and time and cost are estimated. Option A is incorrect because not all three are fixed; time and cost are estimates. Option C is incorrect because it describes an adaptive life cycle where scope is variable, not predictive. Option D is incorrect because scope is not variable in predictive life cycles.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
All three are fixed.
Why it's wrong here
Predictive life cycles progressively elaborate scope, so fixing all three at the outset contradicts the incremental baselining that defines them. It is tempting because cost and schedule baselines are genuinely fixed once approved, and scope is fixed only at each baseline revision, not permanently across the project.
- ✓
Scope is fixed, time and cost are estimated.
Why this is correct
In a predictive life cycle the requirements are fully defined upfront, so scope is baselined and fixed. Time and cost are then estimated from that fixed scope, rather than scope being adjusted to meet a predetermined schedule or budget.
- ✗
Time and cost are fixed, scope is variable.
Why it's wrong here
In a predictive life cycle scope is fixed and time and cost are estimated and adjusted to deliver that scope, so the option inverts the relationship. It is tempting because adaptive or agile approaches do fix time and cost while varying scope, but that is not predictive.
- ✗
All three are variable.
Why it's wrong here
Treating all three as variable removes the baselines against which predictive projects measure performance, so earned value and change control lose their reference points. It is tempting because scope, time and cost do all flex through integrated change control, but only via approved changes, not by default.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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