PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
During a project, the sponsor asks you to skip the testing phase to save time and meet the deadline. What should you do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose Option D (expedite testing) thinking it is a compromise, but the PMP exam expects the project manager to first analyze and communicate the risks before taking any action, not to jump to a solution without stakeholder alignment.
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
✓
Explain the risks of skipping testing and propose alternatives such as reducing scope or extending the schedule.
As a project manager, your first responsibility is to protect the project's value and quality. Skipping testing introduces significant technical debt and risk of undetected defects, which can lead to costly rework or failure. By explaining the risks and proposing alternatives like scope reduction or schedule extension, you demonstrate proactive stakeholder management and adherence to the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Explain the risks of skipping testing and propose alternatives such as reducing scope or extending the schedule.
Why this is correct
This is the correct approach because a project manager's primary responsibility includes acting as a trusted advisor, upholding professional ethics, and ensuring project success. By explaining the inherent risks of skipping testing, such as increased defects, rework, and potential failure to meet requirements, the PM provides the sponsor with critical information for informed decision-making. Proposing alternatives like reducing scope or extending the schedule demonstrates proactive problem-solving and a commitment to balancing competing project constraints (scope, schedule, cost, quality) while maintaining project integrity and delivering value.
- ✗
Comply with the sponsor's request to meet the deadline.
Why it's wrong here
Complying with the sponsor's request to skip testing without assessing or communicating the consequences is unprofessional and unethical. This action directly compromises product quality, which is a fundamental aspect of project success and stakeholder satisfaction. Such a decision can lead to significant downstream issues, including increased defect rates, costly rework, reputational damage, and ultimately, a failure to deliver the intended value, violating the project manager's fiduciary duty.
- ✗
Ignore the request and continue as planned.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring a direct request from a key stakeholder like the project sponsor is a serious lapse in communication and stakeholder management. This approach demonstrates a lack of respect for the sponsor's authority and concerns, potentially damaging the crucial project-sponsor relationship. Without open communication, the project manager misses an opportunity to understand the sponsor's underlying motivations and to collaboratively find a solution, which can lead to mistrust, disengagement, and withdrawal of vital support.
- ✗
Ask the quality assurance team to expedite testing.
Why it's wrong here
Asking the quality assurance team to simply expedite testing is a superficial solution that fails to address the core conflict between schedule and quality. While it might seem proactive, expediting often leads to rushed processes, reduced test coverage, and a higher probability of missing critical defects. This approach compromises the thoroughness required for effective quality control, potentially resulting in a product with latent issues that will manifest later, incurring higher costs for defect resolution and negatively impacting project outcomes.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PMP 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 PMP exam.