Quick Answer
The answer is to sequence the activities and develop the project schedule. This is correct because the work breakdown structure (WBS) decomposes deliverables into work packages, but it does not define the order or timing of the work; the next logical step is to identify the specific activities required to produce each work package, determine their dependencies, and sequence them to form the foundation of the schedule. On the Project Management Professional PMP exam, this tests your understanding of the "Plan Schedule Management" process group and the natural flow from scope definition to time management—a common trap is thinking cost estimation or risk identification comes next, but in a predictive approach, the schedule must be built before you can estimate costs or analyze risks. Remember the memory tip: "WBS breaks the scope, then sequence the steps to set the clock."
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.
Your project is using a predictive approach, and you have just completed the work breakdown structure (WBS). What is the NEXT step in project planning?
Sequence the activities and develop the project schedule
WBS is followed by activity sequencing and schedule development.
Define the project scope statement
Why wrong: Scope statement is created before WBS.
Identify risks
Why wrong: Risk identification occurs after schedule and cost baseline are established.
Estimate costs for each work package
Why wrong: Cost estimation typically occurs after schedule development.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Sequence the activities and develop the project schedule
After completing the WBS, the next step in a predictive (waterfall) project is to sequence the activities and develop the project schedule. The WBS decomposes deliverables into work packages, but the schedule requires identifying the specific activities needed to produce those work packages, determining their dependencies, and estimating durations. This directly feeds into creating the project schedule, which is the logical next step before cost estimation or risk identification.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Sequence the activities and develop the project schedule
Why this is correct
WBS is followed by activity sequencing and schedule development.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Define the project scope statement
Why it's wrong here
Scope statement is created before WBS.
Identify risks
Why it's wrong here
Risk identification occurs after schedule and cost baseline are established.
Estimate costs for each work package
Why it's wrong here
Cost estimation typically occurs after schedule development.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the order of planning processes, thinking cost estimation or risk identification comes immediately after the WBS, when in fact the schedule must be developed first to provide the basis for those estimates.
Detailed technical explanation
In predictive project management, the WBS is a deliverable-oriented decomposition, but it does not include the sequence or timing of work. The next step is to define activities (using the WBS as input), then sequence them using precedence diagramming method (PDM) with dependencies like finish-to-start or lead/lag. This sequencing is critical for critical path method (CPM) analysis, which determines the project's minimum duration and identifies schedule flexibility. Real-world example: building a house WBS includes 'foundation' and 'framing', but sequencing ensures framing starts only after foundation cures.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Sequence the activities and develop the project schedule — After completing the WBS, the next step in a predictive (waterfall) project is to sequence the activities and develop the project schedule. The WBS decomposes deliverables into work packages, but the schedule requires identifying the specific activities needed to produce those work packages, determining their dependencies, and estimating durations. This directly feeds into creating the project schedule, which is the logical next step before cost estimation or risk identification.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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