PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
During a project audit, it is discovered that the quality management plan has not been followed, leading to defects. The project manager needs to address this issue. Which THREE actions should the project manager take?
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
✓
Review and update the quality management plan as necessary
The correct actions are B, C, and D. The project manager should first review and update the quality management plan to ensure it addresses current issues (B). Then, implement corrective actions to fix identified defects (C). Finally, conduct quality audits to verify compliance and prevent recurrence (D). Option A (retrain entire team) may be necessary after the plan update but is not one of the three best immediate actions. Option E (blame team) is unprofessional and ineffective.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Retrain the entire team on quality processes
Why it's wrong here
While retraining can be a valid corrective action, immediately retraining the entire team without first conducting a thorough root cause analysis is premature. An audit finding indicates a problem, but the specific cause might be a flawed plan, inadequate resources, or isolated non-compliance, not necessarily a universal lack of knowledge across the whole team. More targeted interventions are typically required before such a broad and resource-intensive action.
- ✓
Review and update the quality management plan as necessary
Why this is correct
A project audit revealing quality issues strongly suggests that the existing Quality Management Plan (QMP) might be inadequate, outdated, or misaligned with current project realities or best practices. Reviewing and updating the QMP ensures that the documented processes, standards, and metrics are appropriate, effective, and accurately reflect how quality will be achieved and controlled throughout the project lifecycle, providing a foundational and systemic correction.
- ✓
Implement corrective actions to address defects
Why this is correct
Upon discovering defects or non-conformances during a project audit, implementing specific corrective actions is a direct and essential response. These actions are designed to bring the project's deliverables or processes back into compliance with established quality standards and requirements. This step focuses on resolving immediate issues, preventing their recurrence, and ensuring the project's outputs meet the defined quality criteria.
- ✓
Conduct quality audits to ensure compliance
Why this is correct
Following an initial audit that uncovers quality issues, it is crucial to conduct subsequent or ongoing quality audits. These follow-up audits serve to verify the effectiveness of any implemented corrective actions and to ensure sustained adherence to quality processes and standards. Regular audits provide continuous assurance that the project remains compliant and that quality objectives are consistently being met, fostering a proactive quality environment.
- ✗
Blame the team for not following the plan
Why it's wrong here
Blaming the project team for not following the plan is a counterproductive and unprofessional response to audit findings. Effective quality management focuses on identifying systemic issues, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing process improvements rather than assigning individual fault. A constructive approach seeks to understand why deviations occurred and to implement solutions that prevent recurrence, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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