Quick Answer
The answer is to estimate activity resources. In the schedule development process order, after defining activities and sequencing them, you must determine what people, equipment, and materials are needed for each task before you can realistically estimate how long those tasks will take. This step is critical because resource availability directly constrains activity durations—without knowing who or what is available, any duration estimate is just a guess. On the PMP exam, this tests your understanding of the logical flow in the PMBOK Guide’s schedule management process, where a common trap is jumping straight to estimating durations or creating the schedule. Remember the mnemonic “D-S-R-D” for the core sequence: Define, Sequence, Resources, Durations. This order ensures your schedule is built on a foundation of known resource constraints, not wishful thinking.
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 developing the project schedule. After defining activities and sequencing them, what is the next step in the schedule development process?
Estimate activity resources
Resource estimation is the logical next step after sequencing, per PMBOK process flow.
Estimate activity durations
Why wrong: Duration estimation requires resource estimates first.
Estimate costs
Why wrong: Cost estimation typically follows duration estimation.
Develop the schedule baseline
Why wrong: The baseline is developed after duration estimates and schedule model analysis.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Estimate activity resources
In the schedule development process, after defining activities and sequencing them, the next step is to estimate the resources required for each activity (option A). This is because resource availability and constraints directly impact activity durations, and you must know what resources are available before you can estimate how long each activity will take. The PMBOK Guide's schedule management process follows the order: Plan Schedule Management → Define Activities → Sequence Activities → Estimate Activity Resources → Estimate Activity Durations → Develop Schedule.
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.
Estimate activity resources
Why this is correct
Resource estimation is the logical next step after sequencing, per PMBOK process flow.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Estimate activity durations
Why it's wrong here
Duration estimation requires resource estimates first.
Estimate costs
Why it's wrong here
Cost estimation typically follows duration estimation.
Develop the schedule baseline
Why it's wrong here
The baseline is developed after duration estimates and schedule model analysis.
Common exam traps
PMI often tests the order of processes in the schedule development sequence, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly think duration estimation comes immediately after sequencing, overlooking the prerequisite resource estimation step.
Detailed technical explanation
The Estimate Activity Resources process involves determining the type, quantity, and characteristics of resources (people, equipment, materials) needed for each activity. This is critical because resource calendars, availability, and skill levels directly influence duration estimates—for example, assigning a junior developer vs. a senior developer to the same task can change the duration estimate by 50% or more. In practice, resource leveling and resource smoothing techniques are applied later in the Develop Schedule process to resolve overallocation conflicts.
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: Estimate activity resources — In the schedule development process, after defining activities and sequencing them, the next step is to estimate the resources required for each activity (option A). This is because resource availability and constraints directly impact activity durations, and you must know what resources are available before you can estimate how long each activity will take. The PMBOK Guide's schedule management process follows the order: Plan Schedule Management → Define Activities → Sequence Activities → Estimate Activity Resources → Estimate Activity Durations → Develop Schedule.
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 30, 2026
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