Practice Free PMP Exam Online Questions
Question #131
A large construction project is progressing well as per the project objectives. The project manager would like to report the project’s value to the project sponsor and seek the next phase of funding closure.
What should the project manager do?
- A . Ensure a measurement system is in place like earned value analysis (EVA) to track project value for the project sponsor.
- B . Submit a detailed report on the cost budget vs. the cost actuals as the project sponsor will want to know more about finances.
- C . Create a detailed project report on successes and challenges for the project sponsor.
- D . Arrange a site visit to show the project sponsor the construction progress in person.
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
Earned Value Analysis (EVA) is a project management technique used for monitoring and controlling project performance by integrating scope, schedule, and cost parameters. It is a critical tool for project managers to report the project’s value and is particularly useful for large projects where tracking progress against the budget is essential. EVA provides a set of mathematical metrics that reflect the health of the project and is used to report information for the current reporting period and on a cumulative basis. This method allows project managers to identify variances from the plan and forecast future performance, which is crucial for seeking further funding and demonstrating the project’s value to sponsors.
Reference: (Earned Value Analysis & Management (EVA/EVM) – Project-Management.info1, Professional in Business Analysis Reference Materials | PMI2)
A
Explanation:
Earned Value Analysis (EVA) is a project management technique used for monitoring and controlling project performance by integrating scope, schedule, and cost parameters. It is a critical tool for project managers to report the project’s value and is particularly useful for large projects where tracking progress against the budget is essential. EVA provides a set of mathematical metrics that reflect the health of the project and is used to report information for the current reporting period and on a cumulative basis. This method allows project managers to identify variances from the plan and forecast future performance, which is crucial for seeking further funding and demonstrating the project’s value to sponsors.
Reference: (Earned Value Analysis & Management (EVA/EVM) – Project-Management.info1, Professional in Business Analysis Reference Materials | PMI2)
Question #132
A stakeholder informs the project manager about a few compliance-related gaps and issues. The stakeholder then presents several suggestions to the project manager to address the issues.
What should the project manager do?
- A . Use the compliance issues to identify coaching and mentoring opportunities.
- B . Log the feedback from the compliance gaps in the lessons learned register.
- C . Review this with the project sponsor to avoid compliance gaps and issues.
- D . Discuss the suggestions with the staff responsible for the compliance issues.
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
When a stakeholder identifies compliance-related gaps and issues and provides suggestions, it is crucial for the project manager to engage directly with the staff responsible for compliance. This allows for a detailed understanding of the issues, evaluation of the suggestions’ feasibility, and collaborative development of solutions to address the compliance gaps. It is a proactive approach that prioritizes resolving the issues promptly, which is essential given the legal and regulatory implications of compliance matters.
Reference: (Based on the PMBOK® Guide and standards from the Project Management Institute1, and the principles of addressing compliance issues as outlined in the Professional in Business Analysis materials2.)
D
Explanation:
When a stakeholder identifies compliance-related gaps and issues and provides suggestions, it is crucial for the project manager to engage directly with the staff responsible for compliance. This allows for a detailed understanding of the issues, evaluation of the suggestions’ feasibility, and collaborative development of solutions to address the compliance gaps. It is a proactive approach that prioritizes resolving the issues promptly, which is essential given the legal and regulatory implications of compliance matters.
Reference: (Based on the PMBOK® Guide and standards from the Project Management Institute1, and the principles of addressing compliance issues as outlined in the Professional in Business Analysis materials2.)
Question #133
A project manager is assigned to an important company project. While reviewing the lessons learned from a similar, previous project, the project manager finds that the biggest challenges were related to learn motivation.
What should the project manager do to avoid these challenges?
- A . Increase the project budget by 10% for team-related activities and awards.
- B . Plan to implement team-building strategies throughout the project.
- C . Ask the functional manager to motivate the team outside of the project.
- D . Colocate the team to encourage more motivational team activities.
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
According to the PMBOK Guide, team-building activities are one of the tools and techniques for managing project teams. Team-building activities help enhance project performance by improving team morale, reducing conflicts, increasing trust, and fostering collaboration. Team-building activities can be formal or informal, and can be conducted throughout the project life cycle. Some examples of team-building activities are icebreakers, workshops, retreats, celebrations, and recognition programs. By planning to implement team-building strategies throughout the project, the project manager can avoid the challenges related to team motivation that were encountered in a similar, previous project.
Reference: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, pages 349-350.
B
Explanation:
According to the PMBOK Guide, team-building activities are one of the tools and techniques for managing project teams. Team-building activities help enhance project performance by improving team morale, reducing conflicts, increasing trust, and fostering collaboration. Team-building activities can be formal or informal, and can be conducted throughout the project life cycle. Some examples of team-building activities are icebreakers, workshops, retreats, celebrations, and recognition programs. By planning to implement team-building strategies throughout the project, the project manager can avoid the challenges related to team motivation that were encountered in a similar, previous project.
Reference: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, pages 349-350.
Question #134
During a project meeting, the project manager asks risk owners to present issues that may affect the backlog. During their presentation, the project manager realizes that some risk owners did not implement the already agreed-upon risk responses.
What should the project manager do to reduce exposure?
- A . Report the risk owners to the project management office (PMO) with the recommendation to remove them from the team.
- B . Reassign the outstanding risk tasks to other team members who have implemented their risk responses.
- C . Ask the risk owners to implement the risk responses before the next meeting and present the results in the meeting.
- D . Meet privately with the risk owners and work with them to address any impediments to the risk responses.
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
In project management, when risk owners do not implement the agreed-upon risk responses, it is important for the project manager to address this issue promptly to reduce risk exposure. The best approach is to meet privately with the risk owners and collaborate with them to remove any impediments to the risk responses1. This approach ensures that the risk responses are implemented effectively and that the project continues to progress as planned. It also maintains a positive team dynamic by addressing the issue directly with the individuals involved, rather than escalating the issue unnecessarily.
Reference: PMP Questions ID 2355 your risk report shows that project risk exposure …
D
Explanation:
In project management, when risk owners do not implement the agreed-upon risk responses, it is important for the project manager to address this issue promptly to reduce risk exposure. The best approach is to meet privately with the risk owners and collaborate with them to remove any impediments to the risk responses1. This approach ensures that the risk responses are implemented effectively and that the project continues to progress as planned. It also maintains a positive team dynamic by addressing the issue directly with the individuals involved, rather than escalating the issue unnecessarily.
Reference: PMP Questions ID 2355 your risk report shows that project risk exposure …
Question #135
A company is involved in a mining project. There are some external stakeholders with no knowledge of the mining industry.
How should the project manager communicate the organizational culture and project goal to these stakeholders?
- A . Hire a company to advertise the project and company through a media outlet.
- B . Prepare a report outlining the organizational structure and project parameters.
- C . Take the stakeholders out informally and verbally brief them about the organization and project.
- D . Ask a team member to directly address the information needs of the stakeholders.
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
According to the PMBOK Guide, the project manager should communicate the organizational culture and project goal to the external stakeholders in a formal and written manner. This will help the stakeholders understand the context, scope, objectives, and deliverables of the project, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the project team and other stakeholders. A report is an appropriate communication tool for this purpose, as it can provide a comprehensive and structured overview of the project information. The other options are either too informal, indirect, or ineffective for communicating the organizational culture and project goal to the external stakeholders.
Reference: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 376-377, section 10.1.2.1.
B
Explanation:
According to the PMBOK Guide, the project manager should communicate the organizational culture and project goal to the external stakeholders in a formal and written manner. This will help the stakeholders understand the context, scope, objectives, and deliverables of the project, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the project team and other stakeholders. A report is an appropriate communication tool for this purpose, as it can provide a comprehensive and structured overview of the project information. The other options are either too informal, indirect, or ineffective for communicating the organizational culture and project goal to the external stakeholders.
Reference: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 376-377, section 10.1.2.1.
Question #136
A project manager is managing a hybrid project. During project execution, the project manager was informed that over half of the project budget was reallocated to a project that is handling an emergency that recently occurred.
What should the project manager do?
- A . Meet with the project sponsor to explain that the project cannot be completed as planned
- B . Meet with the technical lead to review the sprint plan
- C . Meet with the product owner to confirm the minimum viable product (MVP) option
- D . Meet with the project team and reprioritize the backlog
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
In a situation where a significant portion of the project budget has been reallocated, it’s crucial to reassess the project scope and deliverables. The Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach allows the project to deliver the most essential features with the remaining resources. This approach is often used in agile or hybrid project management methodologies to ensure that the most valuable features are delivered first, even when resources are limited.
Reference: PMBOK Guide, 6th Edition, Section 5.4.2.1: Define Scope: Tools and Techniques
C
Explanation:
In a situation where a significant portion of the project budget has been reallocated, it’s crucial to reassess the project scope and deliverables. The Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach allows the project to deliver the most essential features with the remaining resources. This approach is often used in agile or hybrid project management methodologies to ensure that the most valuable features are delivered first, even when resources are limited.
Reference: PMBOK Guide, 6th Edition, Section 5.4.2.1: Define Scope: Tools and Techniques
Question #137
A project manager has been assigned to a project that involves building 100 wells for a small community that is urgently in need of access to water.
What should the project manager do next?
- A . Hire local contractors who are familiar with the environment.
- B . Start project planning and develop the project management plan.
- C . Face the challenge immediately and start sending relief to the town.
- D . Process a change request for additional funding due to project urgency.
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Upon being assigned to a project, especially one as critical as providing water access to a community, the project manager’s next step should be to start project planning and develop the project management plan. This is in accordance with the PMBOK® Guide’s recommended process, which emphasizes the importance of planning in the project management life cycle. The planning phase involves defining the project scope, objectives, and procedures, which are crucial for the successful delivery of the project outcomes. It ensures that all aspects of the project are methodically approached and that the project’s goals are aligned with the community’s needs.
Reference: PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition
The PMI Guide to Business Analysis
Standards & Publications by Project Management Institute
B
Explanation:
Upon being assigned to a project, especially one as critical as providing water access to a community, the project manager’s next step should be to start project planning and develop the project management plan. This is in accordance with the PMBOK® Guide’s recommended process, which emphasizes the importance of planning in the project management life cycle. The planning phase involves defining the project scope, objectives, and procedures, which are crucial for the successful delivery of the project outcomes. It ensures that all aspects of the project are methodically approached and that the project’s goals are aligned with the community’s needs.
Reference: PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition
The PMI Guide to Business Analysis
Standards & Publications by Project Management Institute
Question #138
During the execution of a project to develop a prototype, the customer asks the project manager to stop the prototype line and purge a specific component based on recent reliability tests that have deemed the component to be deficient. The project manager checked the quality management plan and there is no reference to this component.
What should the project manager do next?
- A . Inform the project sponsor of the situation and wait for the sponsor to provide further directions.
- B . Call a technical meeting with the customer to agree on a specification for the component and document it in the quality management plan.
- C . Submit a change request to proceed with the replacement of the component and wait for further customer instructions.
- D . Keep running the manufacturing line because there are no quality specifications for this component.
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
When a component is identified as deficient, and it is not referenced in the quality management plan, the project manager should collaborate with the customer to define the specifications for the component. This involves holding a technical meeting to discuss the component’s requirements and how it impacts the project’s quality objectives. Once an agreement is reached, the specifications should be documented in the quality management plan to ensure that the project aligns with the customer’s quality expectations and the project’s deliverables.
Reference: The approach is consistent with the PMBOK guide’s emphasis on the importance of stakeholder engagement and communication. The guide suggests that when changes occur that affect the project’s scope or quality, it is essential to engage with stakeholders to reach a consensus on the way forward12. Additionally, the quality management plan is a living document that should be updated to reflect new information and changes that impact the project3.
B
Explanation:
When a component is identified as deficient, and it is not referenced in the quality management plan, the project manager should collaborate with the customer to define the specifications for the component. This involves holding a technical meeting to discuss the component’s requirements and how it impacts the project’s quality objectives. Once an agreement is reached, the specifications should be documented in the quality management plan to ensure that the project aligns with the customer’s quality expectations and the project’s deliverables.
Reference: The approach is consistent with the PMBOK guide’s emphasis on the importance of stakeholder engagement and communication. The guide suggests that when changes occur that affect the project’s scope or quality, it is essential to engage with stakeholders to reach a consensus on the way forward12. Additionally, the quality management plan is a living document that should be updated to reflect new information and changes that impact the project3.
Question #139
A project manager is working on a project with three virtual teams. Team A is in a different time zone than teams B and C. The project was going well, but recently team A has started feeling left out. Information reaches team A late or is sometimes missed, and teams B and C give preference to each other’s problems over team A. The project manager has already set project guidelines, but realizes they need to be improved.
Which two things should the project manager do to help the teams collaborate better? (Choose two)
- A . Schedule weekly progress meetings with all three teams and have them take turns as key players.
- B . Plan for team members to temporarily work at each other’s locations to better provide a sense of community.
- C . Update the communications management plan and encourage the teams to review it promptly and proactively.
- D . Create a status reporting template and share it with all team members before the day ends.
- E . Schedule daily meetings with each team to understand their progress and concerns in detail.
Correct Answer: A, C
A, C
Explanation:
To enhance collaboration among virtual teams, especially when one team feels isolated due to time zone differences, the project manager should consider implementing strategies that promote inclusive communication and regular engagement.
Option A, scheduling weekly progress meetings with all three teams, ensures that each team has the opportunity to be heard and to participate actively in the project’s progress. This approach fosters a sense of unity and allows for synchronous communication, where immediate feedback can be provided and all teams are updated simultaneously12.
Option C, updating the communications management plan, is crucial for addressing the current issues faced by Team A. By encouraging all teams to review the communications plan promptly and proactively, the project manager can ensure that information dissemination is timely and no team is left out of the loop. This step also allows for the identification of any gaps in the current communication strategy and the implementation of improvements to facilitate better collaboration12.
While the other options may have their merits, they are not as immediately impactful as A and C for addressing the current challenges of feeling left out and information delays experienced by Team A.
Reference: Best practices for managing and developing virtual project teams, which highlight the importance of regular meetings and effective communication plans1.
Leading virtual project teams, which provide insights into the dos and don’ts of virtual team management, emphasizing the need for inclusive and regular communication2.
A, C
Explanation:
To enhance collaboration among virtual teams, especially when one team feels isolated due to time zone differences, the project manager should consider implementing strategies that promote inclusive communication and regular engagement.
Option A, scheduling weekly progress meetings with all three teams, ensures that each team has the opportunity to be heard and to participate actively in the project’s progress. This approach fosters a sense of unity and allows for synchronous communication, where immediate feedback can be provided and all teams are updated simultaneously12.
Option C, updating the communications management plan, is crucial for addressing the current issues faced by Team A. By encouraging all teams to review the communications plan promptly and proactively, the project manager can ensure that information dissemination is timely and no team is left out of the loop. This step also allows for the identification of any gaps in the current communication strategy and the implementation of improvements to facilitate better collaboration12.
While the other options may have their merits, they are not as immediately impactful as A and C for addressing the current challenges of feeling left out and information delays experienced by Team A.
Reference: Best practices for managing and developing virtual project teams, which highlight the importance of regular meetings and effective communication plans1.
Leading virtual project teams, which provide insights into the dos and don’ts of virtual team management, emphasizing the need for inclusive and regular communication2.
Question #140
A project is comprised of team members who are not engaged and committed to project success.
What should the project manager do to address this situation?
- A . Accept the situation knowing there is schedule slack available to release on an incremental basis when necessary.
- B . Call each team member to gain their perspective on the problem, then bring the whole team together to discuss a solution.
- C . Send each team member a direct email indicating that disciplinary action is likely if they do not change their attitude.
- D . Contact the project sponsor to request approval to release the current team and hire replacement personnel.
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Engaging with team members individually to understand their perspectives is a crucial step in addressing issues of disengagement and lack of commitment. This approach allows the project manager to identify any underlying problems and work collaboratively with the team to find solutions. It is consistent with the PMBOK® Guide’s emphasis on leadership and team management, which includes promoting team engagement and managing conflict. Bringing the team together to discuss solutions promotes a collaborative environment and ensures that all voices are heard, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the project’s success.
Reference: PMBOK® Guide C Seventh Edition1
The PMI Guide to Business Analysis2
B
Explanation:
Engaging with team members individually to understand their perspectives is a crucial step in addressing issues of disengagement and lack of commitment. This approach allows the project manager to identify any underlying problems and work collaboratively with the team to find solutions. It is consistent with the PMBOK® Guide’s emphasis on leadership and team management, which includes promoting team engagement and managing conflict. Bringing the team together to discuss solutions promotes a collaborative environment and ensures that all voices are heard, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the project’s success.
Reference: PMBOK® Guide C Seventh Edition1
The PMI Guide to Business Analysis2