PMP PMP 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project manager learns that a vendor will deliver 2 weeks late. This risk was previously identified and a contingency plan exists. What should the PM do?
- Issue a change request immediately
- Activate the contingency plan and update the risk register (Correct answer)
- Escalate to senior management and wait for direction
- Accept the delay and update the schedule baseline without approval
Correct answer: Activate the contingency plan and update the risk register
When a risk event occurs that has a pre-defined contingency plan, the PM should activate that plan and document the outcome in the risk register.
Question 2: Which Agile ceremony is designed specifically to inspect the increment and adapt the product backlog?
- Daily Standup
- Sprint Planning
- Sprint Review (Correct answer)
- Sprint Retrospective
Correct answer: Sprint Review
The Sprint Review is where the team demonstrates the increment to stakeholders and the backlog is adapted based on feedback.
Question 3: What does a Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 1.2 indicate?
- The project is 20% over budget
- The project is progressing 20% more efficiently than planned (Correct answer)
- The project is 20% behind schedule
- The project has 20% more work remaining than expected
Correct answer: The project is progressing 20% more efficiently than planned
An SPI greater than 1.0 means the team is earning more value per time period than was planned — ahead of schedule.
Question 4: A project manager wants to identify the root cause of recurring quality defects. Which tool is MOST appropriate?
- Pareto Chart
- Control Chart
- Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagram (Correct answer)
- Scatter Diagram
Correct answer: Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagram
The Ishikawa (cause-and-effect) diagram is specifically designed to identify root causes of problems by exploring contributing factors.
Question 5: In servant leadership, what is the project manager's PRIMARY focus?
- Maximizing personal authority over the team
- Removing obstacles and enabling the team to perform effectively (Correct answer)
- Assigning tasks and monitoring individual output
- Reporting status to senior management
Correct answer: Removing obstacles and enabling the team to perform effectively
Servant leaders prioritize the team's needs, remove impediments, and create conditions for the team to self-organize and deliver.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the project management information system (PMIS)?
- To replace the project manager's judgment on decisions
- To provide tools and techniques for planning, executing, and controlling project information (Correct answer)
- To automatically approve change requests
- To manage stakeholder contracts
Correct answer: To provide tools and techniques for planning, executing, and controlling project information
A PMIS provides automated tools that support scheduling, cost control, resource management, and reporting throughout the project.
Question 7: A project manager on a global team notices cultural differences causing communication gaps. What is the BEST approach?
- Standardize all communication in the PM's native language
- Develop a communications management plan that accounts for cultural norms and time zones (Correct answer)
- Reduce team meeting frequency to minimize conflict
- Assign a single liaison to handle all cross-cultural communication
Correct answer: Develop a communications management plan that accounts for cultural norms and time zones
A robust communications plan that addresses cultural differences and scheduling constraints promotes effective global team collaboration.
PMP PMP 4
A project manager learns that a vendor will deliver 2 weeks late.
This risk was previously identified and a contingency plan exists.
What should the PM do?