CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
In a predictive project, the project manager wants to ensure that the project team understands their roles and responsibilities. Which document is used to define roles and responsibilities?
⚠ Common exam trap
CAPM often tests the confusion between the RAM, WBS, RBS, and OBS, as all are project management diagrams with similar acronyms; candidates must remember that only the RAM explicitly assigns roles and responsibilities to tasks.
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
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Responsibility assignment matrix (RAM)
The Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) is the document that maps project activities to the people or teams responsible for completing them. In a predictive project, the RAM—often implemented as a RACI chart—clarifies who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each task, directly defining roles and responsibilities. This ensures every team member understands their specific duties and reporting relationships.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Responsibility assignment matrix (RAM)
Why this is correct
A responsibility assignment matrix maps each work package or activity to the person accountable and responsible, typically using RACI notation. It is the document that makes role and responsibility assignments explicit, satisfying the need for the team to understand who does what.
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Work breakdown structure (WBS)
Why it's wrong here
The work breakdown structure decomposes deliverables into work packages; it does not define who performs them. It would be correct for scope decomposition, but roles and responsibilities require a responsibility assignment matrix, which links team members to tasks and clarifies accountability.
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Resource breakdown structure (RBS)
Why it's wrong here
The resource breakdown structure categorises project resources by type, such as labour, equipment and materials, not by who reports to whom. It would be the right choice when planning resource types and quantities, but it does not assign roles and responsibilities to named team members.
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Organizational breakdown structure (OBS)
Why it's wrong here
The organisational breakdown structure depicts reporting relationships and where work packages sit within the organisation, not individual role definitions. It would be correct for showing hierarchical accountability, but the responsibility assignment matrix is the document that maps people to roles and duties.
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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.