CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are characteristics of a predictive life cycle?
⚠ Common exam trap
PMI often tests the confusion between predictive and iterative life cycles, where candidates mistakenly think that incremental requirements gathering or iterative delivery can occur in a predictive model, but the key distinction is that predictive life cycles perform all planning upfront and deliver the product in a single final release.
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 defined at the beginning of the project
In a predictive life cycle, the project scope is defined and baselined at the start, before execution begins. This upfront planning ensures that all requirements are known and documented, allowing for a detailed project management plan to guide the entire project.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Scope is defined at the beginning of the project
Why this is correct
Predictive life cycles require detailed scope definition early.
- ✗
Changes are welcomed and incorporated at any time
Why it's wrong here
Predictive life cycles discourage changes; they are managed through change control.
- ✗
Requirements are gathered incrementally throughout the project
Why it's wrong here
This is typical of adaptive life cycles.
- ✗
Deliverables are developed through multiple iterations
Why it's wrong here
Iterative development is characteristic of adaptive or iterative life cycles.
- ✓
Detailed planning is performed for the entire project
Why this is correct
Predictive life cycles involve comprehensive upfront planning.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every CAPM question from scratch — 487 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.