PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Your construction project is 40% complete. The Earned Value Analysis shows CPI = 0.85 and SPI = 0.90. The project budget is $5M. A key vendor just informed you they cannot deliver a critical component on time, causing a 3-week delay. The component is on the critical path. What is the BEST action?
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 options (crashing or fast-tracking) and submit a change request to the CCB
Since the project is already over budget and behind schedule, and the vendor issue affects the critical path, the best action is to evaluate options such as schedule compression techniques and then submit a change request to address the delay.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Evaluate schedule compression options (crashing or fast-tracking) and submit a change request to the CCB
Why this is correct
When a project is behind schedule, a PMP should first analyze the situation to identify viable recovery strategies. Evaluating schedule compression techniques like crashing (adding resources for cost) or fast-tracking (performing activities in parallel) allows for a data-driven decision. Subsequently, any proposed changes to the project baselines, especially the schedule, must be formally submitted as a change request to the Change Control Board (CCB) for review and approval, ensuring proper governance and stakeholder alignment.
- ✗
Meet with the vendor to negotiate a new delivery date and update the schedule baseline accordingly
Why it's wrong here
While engaging with a vendor to negotiate a new delivery date might be a necessary step in addressing a delay, unilaterally updating the schedule baseline is a critical procedural error. Project baselines, including the schedule baseline, are formal documents that can only be modified through the integrated change control process. This requires a formal change request, review by the Change Control Board (CCB), and approved authorization to ensure all impacts are assessed and stakeholders are informed.
- ✗
Immediately authorize overtime for the team to make up the delay
Why it's wrong here
Immediately authorizing overtime without a thorough analysis is a reactive and potentially detrimental approach. While it might seem like a quick fix, it often leads to increased project costs, potential burnout, reduced quality, and does not address the underlying root cause of the delay. A PMP must first evaluate the actual impact, explore various strategic options, and assess their feasibility and consequences before implementing such a costly and potentially ineffective measure.
- ✗
Consult the risk register to see if this risk was identified and if a response plan exists
Why it's wrong here
Consulting the risk register is a valuable step in risk management, especially when a known risk materializes or an issue arises. However, it is not the *first* or *sole* action required when a project is significantly behind schedule. A PMP must first thoroughly assess the current impact of the delay on project objectives, analyze the severity, and then determine the most appropriate course of action, which might involve executing a pre-defined risk response or developing a new one through change control.
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JA
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.