CAPM Practice Question: Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
Which TWO of the following are generally true about projects versus operations? (Choose two)
⚠ Common exam trap
CAPM often tests whether candidates mix up the characteristics of projects and operations — the trap is picking 'ongoing and repetitive' for projects or 'temporary and unique' for operations.
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
✓
Operations produce the same product or service repeatedly
Option B is correct because operations are ongoing, repetitive activities that continuously produce the same product or service, such as manufacturing or IT service delivery, which is a defining characteristic distinguishing them from projects. Option E is correct because projects are temporary endeavors with a defined start and end date, undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result, which is the core distinction from operations. Option A is incorrect because it describes operations, not projects—projects are temporary and unique, not ongoing and repetitive. Option C is incorrect because sustaining the business is the role of operations, whereas projects drive change and create unique deliverables. Option D is incorrect because it reverses the definitions: operations are ongoing and repetitive, while projects are temporary and unique.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Projects are ongoing and repetitive
Why it's wrong here
Ongoing and repetitive describe operations, which sustain the business through repeated processes. Projects are temporary and unique, ending once their deliverable is produced. The wording tempts because long projects can feel continuous, yet a defined end date and unique output always distinguish them.
- ✓
Operations produce the same product or service repeatedly
Why this is correct
Operations are ongoing, repetitive activities delivering the same product or service continuously, such as helpdesk support or manufacturing. This contrasts with projects, which are temporary and unique, satisfying the stem's requirement to distinguish the two.
- ✗
Projects are focused on sustaining the business
Why it's wrong here
Sustaining the business describes operations, which repeat existing processes to keep services running. Projects instead create a unique product, service or result and then close. The statement tempts because projects do deliver business value, but continuity of ongoing activity is operations' defining characteristic.
- ✗
Operations are temporary and unique
Why it's wrong here
Temporary and unique describe projects, not operations. Operations are ongoing and repetitive, executing established processes to sustain the business. The option tempts because both domains consume resources and follow plans, but only projects have definite start and end dates with a unique deliverable.
- ✓
Projects are temporary and have a defined end date
Why this is correct
Projects are temporary endeavours with a defined start and finish, distinguishing them from ongoing operations that persist to sustain the business. This satisfies the stem's requirement for a generally true comparison, as the temporary nature of projects—ending when objectives are met or the project is terminated—is a foundational PMBOK principle.
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JA
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.