PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
The project sponsor asks you to skip the quality testing phase to meet an aggressive deadline, arguing that the team is experienced and can deliver without it. What should you do?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to choose Option B (refuse outright) because it seems firm and principled, but the PMP exam rewards collaborative problem-solving and stakeholder management over rigid adherence to the plan.
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, you must balance the sponsor's request with your ethical duty to deliver a quality product. Skipping quality testing introduces significant risk of defects and rework, which could ultimately delay the project further. By explaining these risks and proposing alternatives like reducing scope or extending the schedule, you demonstrate proactive leadership and adherence to the PMI Code of Ethics, specifically the responsibility to make data-driven decisions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Comply with the sponsor's request to avoid conflict
Why it's wrong here
Complying with a sponsor's request to skip critical quality testing, such as a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), solely to avoid conflict demonstrates a severe lapse in professional responsibility and risk management. A project manager is ethically obligated to protect the project's integrity, its deliverables, and its stakeholders from foreseeable harm. Blindly acquiescing to a request that introduces significant quality and safety risks, without proper assessment or mitigation, is a dereliction of duty.
- ✗
Refuse the request and insist on following the original plan
Why it's wrong here
Refusing the sponsor's request outright and rigidly insisting on the original plan, without any attempt to understand their underlying concerns or explore alternative solutions, is an inflexible and uncollaborative approach. While maintaining quality is paramount, effective project management requires strong negotiation and communication skills to find mutually acceptable compromises. An immediate, unyielding refusal can damage stakeholder relationships and hinder problem-solving, rather than fostering a productive environment.
- ✓
Explain the risks of skipping testing and propose alternatives such as reducing scope or extending the schedule
Why this is correct
This option represents the most appropriate and professional response, demonstrating strong leadership, risk management, and communication skills. By clearly articulating the potential negative impacts and risks associated with skipping quality testing, the project manager educates the sponsor. Furthermore, proposing viable alternatives like reducing scope or extending the schedule shows a commitment to finding a solution that addresses the sponsor's underlying needs while safeguarding project quality and mitigating critical risks.
- ✗
Agree to skip testing but document the sponsor's request for future reference
Why it's wrong here
Agreeing to skip essential quality testing, even while documenting the sponsor's request, is an insufficient and irresponsible course of action. Documentation serves as an audit trail but does not, in itself, mitigate the significant quality, safety, and financial risks introduced by bypassing critical verification processes. A project manager's responsibility extends beyond mere record-keeping; it includes actively managing and mitigating risks to ensure project success and the delivery of a fit-for-purpose product.
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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.