Quick Answer
The answer is to estimate activity durations. After identifying activities and sequencing them in the schedule development process sequence, the next logical step is to determine how long each activity will take, which directly feeds into building the final schedule. This follows the order of the Planning process group in the PMBOK Guide: sequence activities, then estimate activity durations, and finally develop schedule. On the Certified Associate in Project Management CAPM exam, this tests your understanding of the predictive schedule development process sequence, often appearing as a straightforward order-of-operations question. A common trap is confusing “estimate activity resources” with “estimate activity durations,” but remember that resources are estimated earlier, before sequencing. The key memory tip is the acronym SED: Sequence, Estimate durations, Develop schedule—think of it as “SED” for the three steps in order.
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of predictive plan-based methodologies. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project manager is developing a project schedule for a software development project using a predictive approach. After identifying activities and sequencing them, what is the NEXT step?
Control schedule
Why wrong: Control schedule is during monitoring and controlling.
Define activities
Why wrong: Define activities occurs before sequencing.
Develop schedule
Why wrong: Develop schedule comes after estimating durations.
Estimate activity durations
This is the next step after sequencing activities.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Estimate activity durations
After sequencing activities, the next process is to estimate activity durations, then develop schedule. Option A is correct.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Control schedule
Why it's wrong here
Control schedule is during monitoring and controlling.
Define activities
Why it's wrong here
Define activities occurs before sequencing.
Develop schedule
Why it's wrong here
Develop schedule comes after estimating durations.
Estimate activity durations
Why this is correct
This is the next step after sequencing activities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CAPM exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — This question tests Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Estimate activity durations — After sequencing activities, the next process is to estimate activity durations, then develop schedule. Option A is correct.
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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