CAPM Predictive Methodologies 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a predictive lifecycle, which type of dependency is defined by contractual obligations or legal requirements?
- Mandatory dependency
- Discretionary dependency
- External dependency (Correct answer)
- Internal dependency
Correct answer: External dependency
External dependencies involve relationships between project activities and non-project activities, often driven by contracts or regulations outside the team's control.
Question 2: A project manager is applying 'management by exception' in a predictive project. What does this mean?
- Managing all project tasks personally
- Reporting only variances that exceed defined thresholds to leadership (Correct answer)
- Handling only exceptional team members
- Applying change control only to major changes
Correct answer: Reporting only variances that exceed defined thresholds to leadership
Management by exception means escalating only issues that exceed pre-set variance thresholds, allowing the team to handle routine matters independently.
Question 3: Which predictive estimation technique uses a mathematical relationship between historical data and project variables to calculate estimates?
- Three-point estimating
- Analogous estimating
- Parametric estimating (Correct answer)
- Expert judgment
Correct answer: Parametric estimating
Parametric estimating uses statistical relationships (e.g., cost per unit, hours per function point) derived from historical data to produce more accurate estimates.
Question 4: During project execution in a predictive approach, the sponsor requests a significant scope addition. What should the project manager do first?
- Immediately add the work to the schedule
- Submit a change request through Integrated Change Control (Correct answer)
- Negotiate with the sponsor to reduce scope elsewhere
- Inform the team and begin planning the new work
Correct answer: Submit a change request through Integrated Change Control
Any scope addition must first be documented as a change request and evaluated through Integrated Change Control before any work begins.
Question 5: In predictive project scheduling, what is a milestone?
- A task requiring more than 40 hours of effort
- A significant point or event in the project with zero duration (Correct answer)
- A summary activity in the schedule
- A mandatory dependency between activities
Correct answer: A significant point or event in the project with zero duration
A milestone represents a significant event or achievement in the project and has a duration of zero because it marks a point in time, not a span of work.
Question 6: Which communication method is most appropriate when a project manager needs to obtain immediate clarification from a stakeholder in a predictive project?
- Formal written report
- Interactive communication (Correct answer)
- Push communication
- Pull communication
Correct answer: Interactive communication
Interactive communication (e.g., meetings, phone calls) enables real-time two-way exchange and is best for immediate clarification.
Question 7: A project manager calculates the Estimate at Completion (EAC) using the formula EAC = BAC / CPI. When is this formula most appropriate?
- When future cost performance is expected to be different from past performance
- When the current cost performance variance is atypical and will not continue
- When future work will be performed at the same CPI as to date (Correct answer)
- When the project has exhausted all contingency reserves
Correct answer: When future work will be performed at the same CPI as to date
EAC = BAC / CPI assumes future work will continue at the same cost efficiency rate experienced to date, making it appropriate when the current CPI is expected to persist.
CAPM Predictive Methodologies 5
In a predictive lifecycle, which type of dependency is defined by contractual obligations or legal requirements?