CAPM Requirements Traceability Matrix Practice Question
Exhibit
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A business analyst is reviewing the output of a requirements validation session. The following issues were identified: 'Requirement REQ-001 has no associated business objective', 'Requirement REQ-002 has a conflicting priority with REQ-003'. What is the most likely cause of these issues?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates might assume that missing business objectives indicate a scope problem, but the RTM is the specific tool that captures these links.
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
✓
The requirements traceability matrix was not properly maintained.
The requirements traceability matrix (RTM) is a tool used to ensure that each requirement is linked to a business objective and that dependencies and conflicts are identified. The issues described—missing links and conflicting priorities—are typical signs of a poorly maintained RTM. Option D correctly identifies this cause. Option A is incorrect because scope statement incompleteness might cause missing requirements, but not specifically the linkage issues. Option B is incorrect because the requirements management plan dictates processes, but the specific tool (RTM) is the issue. Option C is incorrect because templates provide structure, but not maintenance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The project scope statement is incomplete.
Why it's wrong here
The project scope statement defines the boundaries of the project, but the specific issue of missing links to business objectives is better addressed by the RTM.
- ✗
The requirements management plan was not followed.
Why it's wrong here
While the requirements management plan outlines the approach, the symptoms point to a specific artifact (RTM) not being maintained.
- ✗
The business analyst did not use a standard template.
Why it's wrong here
Using a standard template can help, but the problem is about the content and updates of the RTM, not the template itself.
- ✓
The requirements traceability matrix was not properly maintained.
Why this is correct
Correct. The RTM is designed to track relationships between requirements and business objectives, and conflicts in priorities are also managed in the RTM.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.