Practice Free PMP Exam Online Questions
A large matrix organization is adopting a new communications approach. This is necessary because their projects often require the resourcing of expert knowledge in the form of specialists from various departments and divisions.
What should the project manager do to set up effective communications?
- A . Plan on transmitting the information in an easily understandable manner.
- B . Focus on the recipients’ needs and not the information itself.
- C . Use the highest possible technical language and avoid using metaphors.
- D . Ensure that messages sent to the recipients are delivered.
B
Explanation:
In a large matrix organization, effective communication is crucial, especially when it involves coordinating with specialists from various departments and divisions. The project manager should focus on the recipients’ needs to ensure that the communication is relevant and meaningful to them. This approach enhances the effectiveness of communication by ensuring that the information provided is not only understood but also actionable and pertinent to the recipients’ roles and responsibilities within the project1.
: = The information is aligned with the best practices for communication in a matrix organization as described in PMBOK and other project management literature, such as the importance of tailoring communication to the specific needs of the recipients and ensuring appropriate distribution of key communications231.
A new project needs to be submitted for urgent funding approval. The project, which will use a new technology, is vital to the organization. The entire Scrum team has worked together for over 3 years on multiple projects and delivered the previous project under the approved budget.
Which estimation technique should the project manager implement in this context?
- A . Budget estimate
- B . Definitive estimate
- C . Story points
- D . Order of magnitude
C
Explanation:
In the context of a project that involves new technology and an experienced Scrum team, the most suitable estimation technique is using story points. This method allows the team to leverage their collective experience and familiarity with each other’s work to estimate the effort required for tasks relative to each other. Story points reflect the complexity, effort, and uncertainty of the task, making them ideal for projects where the technology is new and exact estimates are challenging to produce. Since the team has a history of successful collaboration, their established velocity can help predict how quickly they can work through the backlog.
: The use of story points is supported by Agile methodologies and is a common practice in Scrum teams for estimating work effort. This approach is detailed in the Agile Practice Guide, which is a complementary document to the PMBOK® Guide, provided by PMI for understanding Agile practices in project management. The choice of story points over other estimation techniques is also consistent with the principles outlined in the PMI’s Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) Reference Materials, which emphasize the importance of leveraging team expertise and past performance to inform project estimates.
The team responsible for executing a work package asks the consultant to reconsider the initial project deliverables specified in the contract.
What should the project manager do in this situation?
- A . Carry out corresponding negotiations in the adjustments of outcomes.
- B . Agree with the consultant to continue without any adjustments.
- C . Pause the project until a satisfactory agreement between both parties is reached.
- D . Explain to the consultant that without adjustments, payment terms will be affected.
A
Explanation:
When project deliverables under contract need to be modified, the project manager should enter into formal negotiations with the appropriate parties (including the consultant) to assess whether changes can be agreed upon. Any agreed changes must be documented and approved through the formal change control process.
According to the PMBOK® Guide C Seventh Edition, project managers manage procurement relationships and resolve issues by applying negotiation and conflict resolution techniques. The goal is to preserve the integrity of the contract while addressing valid concerns.
Option B ignores the issue and risks misalignment.
Option C is unnecessarily drastic and can lead to delays without cause.
Option D could escalate tension and affect stakeholder relationships.
Reference: PMBOK® Guide C Seventh Edition, Procurement Performance Domain
PMI Practice Standard for Project Contracts
A member of the project team always extends discussion topics, taking more time than necessary during project team meetings. Other team members feel this member is not being considerate of their time.
What should the project manager do?
- A . Explain to the team that open discussions are needed but remind the team to follow the ground rules.
- B . Ask this member to only discuss the current topic to achieve team efficiency.
- C . Ask the team to accept the input from this particular member as their input may be useful.
- D . Allow the self-organized team to discuss the situation among themselves and come to a resolution.
A
Explanation:
The project manager should foster an environment where open discussions are encouraged, as they can lead to more comprehensive understanding and better decision-making. However, it is also important to adhere to the ground rules to ensure that discussions are efficient and considerate of everyone’s time. This approach is in line with the PMBOK® Guide’s principles of stakeholder engagement and team management, which emphasize the importance of balancing open communication with meeting management1. It also aligns with the PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® standards, which advocate for effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration2.
Reference: PMBOK® Guide C Seventh Edition1
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® reference materials2
A new major project is starting that consists of two interconnected subprojects. One of the subprojects was assigned to a contractor who commits to submitting biweekly status reports and attending weekly integration meetings. Halfway through the project, the contractor stops participating in the meetings and does not submit the reports. Their excuse is that these activities are consuming too much time.
How should the project manager handle this situation?
- A . Remind the contractor to join the meetings and submit their report as this is their commitment.
- B . File a claim for not fulfilling the contract terms in accordance with alternative dispute resolution.
- C . Compromise with the contractor to only attend the weekly meetings without submitting the reports.
- D . Assess the situation as a risk and reach out to the contractor to check the origin of this resistance.
D
Explanation:
When faced with a situation where a contractor stops participating in meetings and fails to submit reports, the project manager should take the following steps:
A customer requests additional changes 1 day before the planned change date.
How should the project manager respond to the change request?
- A . Reject the changes as the lead time is too short.
- B . Determine whether the project team is capable of making the changes.
- C . Review the additional changes and perform integrated change control.
- D . Check if the changes are covered in the statement of work (SOW).
C
Explanation:
According to the PMBOK Guide, the project manager should manage the project scope, including the planning, validation, and control of the scope. The project manager should also manage the project changes, including the initiation, evaluation, approval, and implementation of the changes. In this scenario, the project manager received a request to add additional changes 1 day before the planned change date. This is a potential change to the project scope that may also impact the project time, cost, quality, and other aspects. The best course of action is to review the additional changes and perform integrated change control. This can help the project manager to assess the feasibility and desirability of the change request, and to determine the appropriate response and approval. Reviewing the additional changes and performing integrated change control (option C) is the best solution to the issue, as it demonstrates proactive and effective project scope and change management. Rejecting the changes as the lead time is too short (option A) may not be feasible or ethical, as it may violate the customer’s expectations and satisfaction, and may damage the trust and relationship with the customer. Determining whether the project team is capable of making the changes (option B) may not be sufficient or realistic, as it may ignore or overlook the impact and value of the change request, and may create a conflict or resentment among the project team.
Checking if the changes are covered in the statement of work (SOW) (option D) may not be relevant or helpful, as it may not address the change request itself, nor does it account for the possible deviations or changes that may occur during the project execution.
Reference: : Project Management
Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) (6thed.). Newtown Square, PA: Author1 : Change Request – Project Management Knowledge2 : Managing
Change Requests in Project Management [Template]3 :.
Which Project Documents Need A Change
Request For Updates?4
A project team has obtained additional team members from different time zones. As a result, there are full-day delays in the work being completed because there are questions from team members from opposite time zones.
What should the project lead do?
- A . Meet each team member during their work hours to ensure all questions are answered in a timely manner.
- B . Inform all team members that they are required to check for messages every few hours to ensure fast response times.
- C . During daily check-ins, compile questions, coordinate with all team members, and agree to meet.
- D . Escalate to the project sponsor and request to replace certain team members so the time zones are aligned.
In an agile project, the team decided to have a rotating group of facilitators for the daily scrum. Overall, most of the facilitators have grown and done well in this role; however, a few of them tend to run inefficient daily scrums.
What should the project manager do next?
- A . Retrain all team members on daily scrum facilitation to ensure there is consistency in the approach.
- B . Ask the facilitators who are doing well to continue and recommend that the others stop facilitating.
- C . Praise the team for self-organizing and growing, then work one-on-one with the facilitators, as needed.
- D . Return to using the scrum master as the facilitator for the daily scrums now that the trial period is over.
C
Explanation:
Agile principles encourage teams to self-organize and continuously improve their processes. When some facilitators are not conducting efficient daily scrums, it is beneficial to acknowledge the team’s overall growth and provide targeted support to those who need it. Working one-on-one allows for personalized coaching that can address specific challenges and improve facilitation skills. This approach fosters a positive environment where all team members can develop and contribute effectively1.
Reference: Facilitation techniques and tips from Scrum.org1.
Professional in Business Analysis Reference Materials from PMI2.
A project manager was notified about a new regulatory requirement that could impact the project schedule.
What should the project manager do first?
- A . Increase the amount of slack in the critical path to reduce the impact of the regulatory requirement.
- B . Update the schedule and project risk register according to the regulatory requirement.
- C . Consult the project management plan for guidance on addressing the regulatory requirement.
- D . Assess the impact of implementing the potential regulatory requirement on the project.
D
Explanation:
When a change (such as a new regulatory requirement) is introduced, the first step is always to assess the potential impact. This allows the project manager to understand how scope, schedule, cost, or quality may be affected. Only after assessing the impact should changes be formally documented and implemented.
The PMBOK® Guide C Seventh Edition emphasizes adaptive planning and impact assessment in response to external change (e.g., legal or regulatory). The guide states: "Assess changes to determine impact before recommending a course of action."
Option A (Increase slack) is reactive and premature without assessment.
Option B implies implementation before assessing consequences.
Option C (Consult the plan) might follow, but impact assessment is the most immediate and necessary action.
Reference: PMBOK® Guide C Seventh Edition, System Thinking and Risk Principles
PMBOK® Guide C Sixth Edition, Section 4.6: Perform Integrated Change Control
A project lead with a strong technical background oversees a project using agile delivery. The product owner asked the project lead to assist with ensuring the benefits of functionality that are built in the sprint are tracked.
What should the project lead advise?
- A . During the sprint review, ensure that the completed items deliver business benefits.
- B . Present in detail the business benefits delivered in the sprint during the sprint retrospective.
- C . During the daily standup, ensure that each item meets the definition of done (DoD) before accepting it.
- D . Review in detail the criteria for the definition of done (DoD) for each item during the sprint planning.
