PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
During project execution, a team member reports that a critical path activity is delayed by two days because a required component failed quality inspection. The project has no schedule contingency. What is the BEST course of action for the project manager?
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
✓
Evaluate schedule compression techniques such as crashing or fast tracking to recover the two days
Delaying a critical path activity threatens the project end date. The project manager should first evaluate schedule compression techniques like crashing (adding resources) or fast tracking (performing activities in parallel) to recover the two-day delay without automatically changing scope, baseline, or escalating. Option A (reduce scope) requires a change request and may not be necessary if compression works. Option B (update baseline) is premature; baseline changes should only occur after recovery options are exhausted. Option C (escalate to sponsor and request budget) is an overreaction; escalating for budget before trying compression is not best practice.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reduce the scope of the next deliverable to compensate for the lost time
Why it's wrong here
Cutting scope to recover time alters the agreed deliverable without a formal change request, and quality failures cannot be resolved by removing requirements. Scope reduction is tempting because it genuinely shortens critical path duration, but it is legitimate only when the customer formally approves the change.
- ✗
Update the schedule baseline to reflect the delay and inform stakeholders
Why it's wrong here
Baseline updates are reserved for approved change requests; recording a two-day slip without analysis or approval simply institutionalises the variance. Change control is tempting because baselines do shift legitimately, but only after the project manager has evaluated recovery options and the change control board has sanctioned the revision.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the sponsor and request additional budget for overtime
Why it's wrong here
Escalation and overtime funding do not address the failed inspection itself; the component must be reworked or replaced before the activity can proceed. Requesting budget is tempting because sponsors can authorise contingency reserves, which would be the right route had the project retained a reserve to draw on.
- ✓
Evaluate schedule compression techniques such as crashing or fast tracking to recover the two days
Why this is correct
With no schedule contingency, the two-day delay must be recovered within the existing critical path. Crashing adds resources and fast tracking overlaps activities, both compressing duration without extra float. Evaluating these techniques directly addresses the stem's constraint of zero contingency.
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