CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
You are the project manager for a large infrastructure project using a predictive plan-based methodology. The project has a critical path duration of 200 days. After 50 days of execution, a major delay occurs on a critical path activity due to unforeseen ground conditions, adding 20 days to that activity. The project has no float on the critical path. The sponsor requests a recovery plan to bring the project back on schedule. The team proposes two options: (1) crash activity X on the critical path by adding overtime, costing $10,000 and saving 5 days; (2) fast-track activity Y and Z by starting Y earlier, saving 10 days but increasing risk. What is the BEST integrated approach?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that only one compression technique can be used or that management reserves should be used for known delays. Candidates often forget that both crashing and fast-tracking can be combined for greater recovery.
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
✓
Fast-track activities Y and Z to gain 10 days, crash activity X to gain 5 days, then negotiate a schedule change for the remaining 5 days.
The best integrated approach is to apply both schedule compression techniques—fast-tracking and crashing—to recover the maximum amount of time (10 + 5 = 15 days) before resorting to a baseline change. This minimizes the remaining delay to 5 days, which can then be addressed through formal change control. This approach aligns with PMBOK's emphasis on evaluating all options and integrating them for optimal recovery.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Crash activity X to gain 5 days, then accept the 15-day delay and request a schedule baseline change.
Why it's wrong here
Accepting a 15-day delay and rebaselining contradicts the sponsor's explicit recovery request; crashing alone recovers only 5 of the 20 days. Crashing is tempting because it shortens critical-path duration with added cost, and would be correct if overtime alone could recover the full delay.
- ✗
Implement only the fast-tracking option to save 10 days, then accept the remaining 10-day delay.
Why it's wrong here
Fast-tracking alone recovers 10 of the 20 days, leaving a 10-day delay the sponsor explicitly asked to eliminate. Fast-tracking is tempting because it shortens duration at no direct cost by overlapping activities, and would be correct if the overlap fully recovered the slippage without unacceptable risk.
- ✗
Implement only the crashing option to save 5 days, and then use management reserves to absorb the remaining 15 days.
Why it's wrong here
Management reserves cover unknown-unknown risks, not a known ground-condition delay already realised, and absorbing 15 days leaves the schedule unrecovered. Reserves are tempting as a funding source, but they are correct for unplanned scope or risk events, not for recovering a known critical-path slippage.
- ✓
Fast-track activities Y and Z to gain 10 days, crash activity X to gain 5 days, then negotiate a schedule change for the remaining 5 days.
Why this is correct
Combining fast-tracking (10 days) and crashing (5 days) recovers 15 of the 20-day overrun, leaving 5 days that cannot be absorbed given zero float. Negotiating a schedule change for the residual is the only realistic integrated response.
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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.