The correct first step is to conduct a root cause analysis of the cost and schedule variances. This is because earned value analysis metrics like SPI (0.85) and CPI (0.90) are lagging indicators that reveal a problem exists, but they do not explain why the project is behind schedule and over budget. Before any corrective action—such as authorizing more overtime or requesting additional funds—a project manager must perform a root cause analysis to identify the underlying drivers of the poor performance. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Control Costs and Control Schedule processes, specifically that analysis precedes action. A common trap is jumping to solutions like overtime or crashing the schedule without first diagnosing the variance’s source. Remember the memory tip: “Diagnose before you prescribe—SPI and CPI tell you what, root cause analysis tells you why.”
PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project manager is reviewing the earned value report. The SPI is 0.85 and the CPI is 0.90. The project is behind schedule and over budget. Several team members are working overtime to catch up. What should the PM do FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Conduct a root cause analysis of the cost and schedule variances
Before taking corrective action, the PM should analyze the root cause of the variances. Simply ordering more overtime or requesting more budget without understanding the cause is not effective.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Mandate mandatory overtime for all team members
Why it's wrong here
Overtime can lead to burnout and further quality issues; it's not a first step.
✓
Conduct a root cause analysis of the cost and schedule variances
Why this is correct
Understanding the cause of variances is the first step to determining appropriate corrective actions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Request additional budget from the sponsor
Why it's wrong here
Requesting more budget without analysis may not solve the underlying issues.
✗
Rebaseline the project schedule and budget
Why it's wrong here
Rebaselining should only be done after approved changes; it is not a first step.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Conduct a root cause analysis of the cost and schedule variances — Before taking corrective action, the PM should analyze the root cause of the variances. Simply ordering more overtime or requesting more budget without understanding the cause is not effective.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A team member reports that a task is 50% complete but has consumed 70% of the budget. Which metric indicates that the project is over budget?
easy
A.Budget at Completion (BAC)
✓ B.Cost Performance Index (CPI)
C.Estimate at Completion (EAC)
D.Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
Why B: The Cost Performance Index (CPI) is the metric that directly compares the value of work performed (Earned Value) to the actual cost incurred. A CPI less than 1.0 indicates that the project is over budget, as it costs more than planned to achieve the work completed. In this scenario, with 50% of the work done but 70% of the budget spent, the CPI would be 0.5/0.7 ≈ 0.71, confirming a cost overrun.
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Question Discussion
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