PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Your project is using a hybrid approach. During the execution phase, you notice that the cost performance index (CPI) is 0.8 and the schedule performance index (SPI) is 1.1. What does this indicate?
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
✓
The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
CPI = 0.8, which is less than 1, indicates that the project is over budget (cost performance is unfavorable). SPI = 1.1, which is greater than 1, indicates that the project is ahead of schedule (schedule performance is favorable). Therefore, the project is over budget and ahead of schedule, which corresponds to option C. Option A is incorrect because being under budget would require CPI > 1, and behind schedule would require SPI < 1. Option B is incorrect because it claims behind schedule but SPI > 1. Option D is incorrect because it claims under budget but CPI < 1.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The project is under budget and behind schedule
Why it's wrong here
If the project were under budget, its Cost Performance Index (CPI) would be greater than 1, indicating that less actual cost has been incurred for the work performed than planned. Similarly, for the project to be behind schedule, its Schedule Performance Index (SPI) would need to be less than 1, meaning less work has been completed than was scheduled by this point. This option contradicts the scenario where the project is actually over budget (CPI < 1) and ahead of schedule (SPI > 1).
- ✗
The project is over budget and behind schedule
Why it's wrong here
While the project being over budget aligns with a Cost Performance Index (CPI) less than 1, indicating that actual costs exceed the earned value, the statement that it is behind schedule is incorrect. A project that is ahead of schedule would have a Schedule Performance Index (SPI) greater than 1, meaning more work has been accomplished than was planned for the current period. Therefore, this option incorrectly combines a correct cost status with an inaccurate schedule status.
- ✓
The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
Why this is correct
This statement accurately describes the project's performance based on standard Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics. A Cost Performance Index (CPI) less than 1 signifies that the project is over budget, as the actual cost incurred for the work completed exceeds the earned value. Concurrently, a Schedule Performance Index (SPI) greater than 1 indicates the project is ahead of schedule, meaning more work has been accomplished than was planned by this point in time.
- ✗
The project is under budget and ahead of schedule
Why it's wrong here
The assertion that the project is under budget is incorrect, as a Cost Performance Index (CPI) less than 1 indicates that the project is actually over budget, having spent more than the earned value for the work completed. While the project being ahead of schedule aligns with an SPI greater than 1, the cost status presented here directly contradicts the implied CPI < 1. Thus, this combination of statuses is inaccurate for the given scenario.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 800 original PMP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.