Practice Free PMP Exam Online Questions
A project manager and project team are developing a strategic approach to engage the internal and external stakeholders.
Which approach should be followed?
- A . Schedule status meetings with all stakeholders to allow their participation in all project discussions and reports.
- B . Analyze both internal and external stakeholders and develop a customized engagement strategy for each stakeholder.
- C . Involve only the internal stakeholders, as the external stakeholders should not have access to confidential information.
- D . Classify all high-risk stakeholders and request that the project sponsor communicate directly with them.
B
Explanation:
The best approach to engage stakeholders in a project is to analyze both internal and external stakeholders and then develop a tailored engagement strategy for each one. This is because stakeholders have varying levels of interest, influence, and impact on the project, which necessitates a customized approach to ensure effective engagement and communication. The PMBOK® Guide emphasizes the importance of identifying stakeholders and understanding their needs and expectations as a foundation for developing an appropriate engagement strategy. This strategy should be designed to involve stakeholders in a manner that is aligned with their level of interest and influence over the project outcomes.
Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for project success as it helps in building trust, ensuring clear communication, and fostering collaboration among all parties involved. It also aids in managing expectations and mitigating potential risks associated with stakeholder interactions. By engaging stakeholders appropriately, the project manager and team can leverage their support and contributions, which can be vital for the successful delivery of the project.
Reference: Based on the principles outlined in the PMBOK® Guide and the standards for stakeholder engagement as described in PMI’s resources1234.
As the project progresses, the learns not performing at acceptable levels and in accordance with the key performance indicators (KPls) that were set at the beginning of the project.
How should the project manager resolve this?
- A . Escalate a schedule risk to the sponsor.
- B . Conduct team-building exercises.
- C . Stop the project and perform a team skill assessment.
- D . Make sure that the team has a full understanding of the scope.
D
Explanation:
When a project team is not performing at acceptable levels, it’s crucial to ensure that the team has a full understanding of the project scope12. The project scope outlines the project’s objectives, deliverables, and what needs to be done to achieve those deliverables1. If the team members do not fully understand the scope, they may not know exactly what is expected of them, leading to underperformance3. Therefore, the project manager should clarify the project scope and ensure that all team members understand it12. This can help align the team’s efforts with the project’s goals and improve their performance12.
Reference: Harvard Business Review |.
What to Do If Your Team Is Underperforming, AIHR | 12 Actionable Tips for Managing Underperforming Employees, Software Suggest |.
How to Handle Poor Performance of a Project Management Team, Kissflow | 10 Dynamic Strategies of Managing a Project Team, PMI | Resolving conflicts in project management
As the project progresses, the learns not performing at acceptable levels and in accordance with the key performance indicators (KPls) that were set at the beginning of the project.
How should the project manager resolve this?
- A . Escalate a schedule risk to the sponsor.
- B . Conduct team-building exercises.
- C . Stop the project and perform a team skill assessment.
- D . Make sure that the team has a full understanding of the scope.
D
Explanation:
When a project team is not performing at acceptable levels, it’s crucial to ensure that the team has a full understanding of the project scope12. The project scope outlines the project’s objectives, deliverables, and what needs to be done to achieve those deliverables1. If the team members do not fully understand the scope, they may not know exactly what is expected of them, leading to underperformance3. Therefore, the project manager should clarify the project scope and ensure that all team members understand it12. This can help align the team’s efforts with the project’s goals and improve their performance12.
Reference: Harvard Business Review |.
What to Do If Your Team Is Underperforming, AIHR | 12 Actionable Tips for Managing Underperforming Employees, Software Suggest |.
How to Handle Poor Performance of a Project Management Team, Kissflow | 10 Dynamic Strategies of Managing a Project Team, PMI | Resolving conflicts in project management
A project manager who is new to an organization observes that an approaching deadline is likely to be missed because there have been some delays on the project due to a lack of resources.
What should the project manager do next?
- A . Review the milestone list to determine which tasks can be fast-tracked
- B . Review the risk management plan to identify the response strategy
- C . Escalate the issue to the sponsor and debrief them about the situation
- D . Organize a team meeting to discuss the next course of action
C
Explanation:
According to the PMBOK Guide, 7th edition, one of the principles of project management is to engage stakeholders proactively. This means that the project manager should communicate effectively with the project sponsor and other key stakeholders about the project status, issues, risks, and changes. When the project manager observes that the project is likely to miss a deadline due to a lack of resources, the best course of action is to escalate the issue to the sponsor and debrief them about the situation. This way, the project manager can seek the sponsor’s support and guidance on how to resolve the resource problem and mitigate the impact on the project schedule. The sponsor may also have the authority and influence to allocate more resources or negotiate a revised deadline with the customer or other stakeholders. By escalating the issue to the sponsor, the project manager demonstrates transparency, accountability, and professionalism.
Reference: PMBOK Guide, 7th edition, page 9, Principle 3: Engage Stakeholders Proactively; page 32, Section 2.3.2.1, Project Sponsor; page 36, Section 2.4.2.1, Project Manager.
A vendor informed the project manager that a critical resource will be on a long leave of absence. The project team reviewed the pending vendor deliverables and identified an alternative solution, but the solution will incur an additional cost. The project is currently on schedule and slightly under budget
What should the project manager do next?
- A . Request a replacement resource
- B . Perform a cost-benefit analysis
- C . Implement risk responses
- D . Perform Integrated Change Control
D
Explanation:
Perform Integrated Change Control is the process of reviewing all change requests, approving changes and managing changes to deliverables, organizational process assets, project documents, and the Project Management Plan, and communicating the decisions1. This process is important to ensure that only approved changes are implemented and that the project remains aligned with the project objectives and stakeholder expectations. In this scenario, the project manager should perform Integrated Change Control to evaluate the impact of the proposed alternative solution on the project scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and other aspects. The project manager should also consult with the project sponsor, customer, and other key stakeholders to obtain their approval or rejection of the change request. The project manager should document the change request and its status in the change log and update the project management plan and other relevant documents accordingly. The project manager should also communicate the change and its implications to the project team and other affected parties. By performing Integrated Change Control, the project manager can ensure that the project is managed in a controlled and consistent manner, and that the project deliverables meet the agreed requirements and expectations.
Reference:
How To Successfully Perform Integrated Change Control
6 Steps for an Integrated Change Control Project Management Strategy Performing Integrated Change Control: PMP Tips
A vendor informed the project manager that a critical resource will be on a long leave of absence. The project team reviewed the pending vendor deliverables and identified an alternative solution, but the solution will incur an additional cost. The project is currently on schedule and slightly under budget
What should the project manager do next?
- A . Request a replacement resource
- B . Perform a cost-benefit analysis
- C . Implement risk responses
- D . Perform Integrated Change Control
D
Explanation:
Perform Integrated Change Control is the process of reviewing all change requests, approving changes and managing changes to deliverables, organizational process assets, project documents, and the Project Management Plan, and communicating the decisions1. This process is important to ensure that only approved changes are implemented and that the project remains aligned with the project objectives and stakeholder expectations. In this scenario, the project manager should perform Integrated Change Control to evaluate the impact of the proposed alternative solution on the project scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and other aspects. The project manager should also consult with the project sponsor, customer, and other key stakeholders to obtain their approval or rejection of the change request. The project manager should document the change request and its status in the change log and update the project management plan and other relevant documents accordingly. The project manager should also communicate the change and its implications to the project team and other affected parties. By performing Integrated Change Control, the project manager can ensure that the project is managed in a controlled and consistent manner, and that the project deliverables meet the agreed requirements and expectations.
Reference:
How To Successfully Perform Integrated Change Control
6 Steps for an Integrated Change Control Project Management Strategy Performing Integrated Change Control: PMP Tips
Due to a tight schedule, a project team member suggests skipping the quality check of a minor deliverable.
What should the project manager do?
- A . Evaluate the impact of skipping the quality check for the deliverable.
- B . Seek approval from the sponsor on an extension of the project schedule,
- C . Seek approval from the quality board to skip the quality check.
- D . Ask the team member to work overtime to complete the quality check.
A
Explanation:
Quality is a crucial aspect of project management and should not be compromised, even for minor deliverables12. If a team member suggests skipping the quality check of a deliverable due to a tight schedule, the project manager should first evaluate the impact of this action1. This involves assessing the potential risks and consequences associated with delivering a product that has not undergone a quality check. It’s important to consider factors such as the potential for defects, customer satisfaction, and the overall integrity of the project2. Based on this evaluation, the project manager can make an informed decision about the best course of action12.
Reference: Project Manager, Project Manager Blog.
Due to a tight schedule, a project team member suggests skipping the quality check of a minor deliverable.
What should the project manager do?
- A . Evaluate the impact of skipping the quality check for the deliverable.
- B . Seek approval from the sponsor on an extension of the project schedule,
- C . Seek approval from the quality board to skip the quality check.
- D . Ask the team member to work overtime to complete the quality check.
A
Explanation:
Quality is a crucial aspect of project management and should not be compromised, even for minor deliverables12. If a team member suggests skipping the quality check of a deliverable due to a tight schedule, the project manager should first evaluate the impact of this action1. This involves assessing the potential risks and consequences associated with delivering a product that has not undergone a quality check. It’s important to consider factors such as the potential for defects, customer satisfaction, and the overall integrity of the project2. Based on this evaluation, the project manager can make an informed decision about the best course of action12.
Reference: Project Manager, Project Manager Blog.
A team is the first team m the company to use agile methods for a traditional project. The team’s manager is concerned that the risks are not being managed.
What should the team do to assess and manage risks regularly?
- A . Identify and escalate any identified risks to the facilitator to handle
- B . Update the risk register during every iteration with any open concerns
- C . Use regular feedback loops through daily standups iteration demos and retrospectives
- D . Focus on developing a working deliverable instead of documenting risks
C
Explanation:
In agile projects, risks are assessed and managed continuously through regular feedback loops, such as daily standups, iteration demos, and retrospectives. These feedback loops allow the team to identify, analyze, prioritize, and respond to risks in a timely and collaborative manner. They also help the team to monitor and control the project performance and deliver value to the customer. Identifying and escalating risks to the facilitator is not an effective way of managing risks, as it does not involve the whole team or the customer. Updating the risk register during every iteration is a good practice, but it is not enough to assess and manage risks regularly. Focusing on developing a working deliverable instead of documenting risks is not a good option, as it ignores the potential impact of risks on the project outcome and quality.
Reference: PMBOK Guide, 7th edition, page 97; PMI, Project Management Professional (PMP) Examination Content Outline, 2021, page 8.
A team needs to follow defined cybersecurity compliance that is mandatory for a customer project.
What should the project manager do to monitor compliance in the project?
- A . Confer with team members.
- B . Review with security experts.
- C . Schedule regular project audits.
- D . Discuss with the customer.
C
Explanation:
Monitoring cybersecurity compliance is a critical aspect of project management, especially when it is a mandatory requirement for a customer project. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® and PMBOK® Guide suggest that regular audits are an effective way to ensure compliance. These audits help in identifying any gaps in the cybersecurity measures and ensure that the project adheres to the required standards. Regular project audits provide a structured approach to assess, monitor, and document the compliance status of the project, which is essential for managing risks and maintaining the integrity of the project’s deliverables.
Reference: PMBOK® Guide1
PMP Examination Content Outline2
Professional in Business Analysis Reference Materials3.