PMI PMBOK Knowledge Areas 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During project execution, a stakeholder requests a significant change to the project scope. Which process should the project manager use to handle this request?
- Validate Scope
- Control Scope (Correct answer)
- Define Scope
- Collect Requirements
Correct answer: Control Scope
Control Scope is the process of monitoring the status of the project scope and managing changes to the scope baseline.
Question 2: Which scheduling technique calculates the minimum project duration by working backward from the project end date to determine late start and late finish dates?
- Forward pass
- Critical path method
- Backward pass (Correct answer)
- Resource leveling
Correct answer: Backward pass
The backward pass calculates late start and late finish dates by working backward from the project end date to determine scheduling flexibility.
Question 3: A project manager is analyzing cost performance and calculates a Cost Performance Index (CPI) of 0.85. What does this indicate?
- The project is 15% under budget
- The project is getting $0.85 worth of work for every $1 spent (Correct answer)
- The project will finish 15% ahead of schedule
- The project is spending $1.15 for every dollar planned
Correct answer: The project is getting $0.85 worth of work for every $1 spent
A CPI of 0.85 means the project is only receiving $0.85 of value for every $1.00 spent, indicating it is over budget.
Question 4: Which Quality Management process involves auditing quality requirements and the results from quality control measurements to ensure appropriate standards are used?
- Plan Quality Management
- Manage Quality (Correct answer)
- Control Quality
- Perform Quality Assurance
Correct answer: Manage Quality
Manage Quality (formerly Perform Quality Assurance) is the process of auditing quality requirements and control measurements to ensure proper quality standards are applied.
Question 5: A project manager needs to resolve a conflict between two team members. According to PMBOK, which conflict resolution technique typically produces the best long-term results?
- Smoothing/accommodating
- Forcing
- Collaborating/problem solving (Correct answer)
- Compromising
Correct answer: Collaborating/problem solving
Collaborating/problem solving addresses the root cause of the conflict and leads to a win-win solution, making it the most effective long-term technique.
Question 6: Which document formally authorizes a project and grants the project manager authority to apply organizational resources to project activities?
- Project Management Plan
- Project Charter (Correct answer)
- Statement of Work
- Business Case
Correct answer: Project Charter
The Project Charter formally authorizes the project and grants the project manager the authority to use organizational resources.
Question 7: When identifying stakeholders, which tool helps the project manager categorize stakeholders by their level of authority and interest in the project?
- Responsibility Assignment Matrix
- Power/Interest Grid (Correct answer)
- Stakeholder Register
- RACI chart
Correct answer: Power/Interest Grid
The Power/Interest Grid is a stakeholder analysis tool that groups stakeholders based on their authority level and interest in the project.
PMI PMBOK Knowledge Areas 2
During project execution, a stakeholder requests a significant change to the project scope.
Which process should the project manager use to handle this request?