PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Your project is 40% complete, and the earned value analysis shows CPI = 0.8 and SPI = 0.9. The project sponsor is concerned about the cost overrun and asks you to reduce costs by skipping quality assurance activities. What should you do?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers think the PM must always obey the sponsor's directive, but the PM's ethical duty is to protect the project's quality baseline and explain the downstream consequences of compromising quality, not to blindly follow cost-cutting requests.
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 reducing QA and propose alternative cost-saving measures that do not compromise quality
Skipping quality assurance (QA) activities to reduce costs directly violates the principle of 'quality is planned in, not inspected in.' With CPI=0.8 and SPI=0.9, the project is over budget and behind schedule; reducing QA would likely increase rework, defects, and technical debt, further worsening cost and schedule performance. The PM must protect the quality baseline and propose alternative cost-saving measures that do not compromise deliverables or introduce unacceptable risk.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Submit a change request to reduce the quality management budget
Why it's wrong here
Submitting a change request to reduce the quality management budget without prior analysis is a reactive and potentially detrimental action. A project manager must first conduct a thorough impact analysis to understand how such a reduction would affect product quality, project risks, and long-term costs of poor quality. This premature action bypasses proper risk assessment and stakeholder consultation, which are crucial steps before initiating formal change control.
- ✗
Agree to skip some QA activities to meet the sponsor's request, as cost is a priority
Why it's wrong here
Agreeing to skip QA activities directly compromises the project's quality baseline and violates the project manager's responsibility to deliver a fit-for-purpose product. Sacrificing quality for short-term cost savings often leads to increased rework, defects, and warranty claims later in the project lifecycle or after delivery, ultimately escalating overall project costs and damaging stakeholder trust. This approach demonstrates a failure to understand the significant cost of poor quality (COPQ).
- ✗
Ignore the sponsor's request and continue with the current QA plan
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring a sponsor's request, even if it seems misinformed, is a critical failure in stakeholder engagement and communication. A project manager is obligated to actively listen to stakeholder concerns, acknowledge their input, and address them professionally through appropriate channels. Dismissing the sponsor's input can damage the project manager-sponsor relationship, erode trust, and potentially lead to escalated issues or lack of support for the project.
- ✓
Explain the risks of reducing QA and propose alternative cost-saving measures that do not compromise quality
Why this is correct
This is the most appropriate response, demonstrating proactive risk management, effective communication, and problem-solving skills. The project manager fulfills their responsibility by clearly articulating the potential negative impacts of reducing quality assurance activities, thus educating the sponsor on the associated risks. Simultaneously, proposing alternative cost-saving measures that do not compromise quality showcases leadership and a commitment to delivering project value without sacrificing critical objectives.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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