ch 1
PMP PREDICTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALE Q&A .
Questions 1–50
Question 1
A project manager is leading a commercial construction project with a
fixed scope, stable requirements, and a regulatory deadline. The
organization's PMO recommends selecting the most appropriate
development approach. Which approach is BEST suited for this project?
A. Agile with two-week sprints
B. Predictive/waterfall with sequential phases
C. Hybrid with iterative design cycles
D. Kanban with continuous flow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When requirements are well-defined, scope is fixed, and
regulatory constraints dictate a sequential process, a predictive
(waterfall) approach provides the structure and documentation needed
for compliance and controlled delivery. Agile methods are less suitable
when scope is not expected to change significantly .
,Question 2
A project manager has just received approval for a new ERP
implementation project. What should the project manager do FIRST?
A. Create the work breakdown structure (WBS)
B. Develop the project management plan
C. Review the project charter and identify stakeholders
D. Conduct a risk identification workshop
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The project charter formally authorizes the project and
provides the project manager with authority. Before planning begins,
the project manager should review the charter to understand the
project's purpose and constraints, and begin identifying stakeholders.
Creating the WBS and developing the project management plan come
later in the planning process .
Question 3
During a predictive project, a team member discovers that a critical
vendor will miss a delivery milestone by three weeks. What should the
project manager do FIRST?
,A. Immediately escalate to the project sponsor
B. Review the procurement agreement and contract terms
C. Update the project schedule baseline
D. Issue a change request to extend the timeline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The procurement agreement and contract terms define the
remedies, notification requirements, and escalation paths for vendor
non-performance. Reviewing these documents first ensures the project
manager takes the correct contractual action before escalating or
modifying baselines .
Question 4
A project manager is developing the project schedule and needs to
identify the sequence of activities with zero float. What is this sequence
called?
A. Critical path
B. Float path
C. Resource-constrained path
, D. Fast-tracked path
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent
activities with zero total float. Any delay on the critical path directly
delays the project completion date. This is a fundamental scheduling
concept in predictive project management .
Question 5
A project has a Cost Performance Index (CPI) of 0.85 and a Schedule
Performance Index (SPI) of 1.10. What does this indicate about the
project's performance?
A. The project is under budget and behind schedule
B. The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
C. The project is over budget and behind schedule
D. The project is under budget and ahead of schedule
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CPI < 1.0 indicates the project is over budget (getting less
value per dollar spent). SPI > 1.0 indicates the project is ahead of
PMP PREDICTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALE Q&A .
Questions 1–50
Question 1
A project manager is leading a commercial construction project with a
fixed scope, stable requirements, and a regulatory deadline. The
organization's PMO recommends selecting the most appropriate
development approach. Which approach is BEST suited for this project?
A. Agile with two-week sprints
B. Predictive/waterfall with sequential phases
C. Hybrid with iterative design cycles
D. Kanban with continuous flow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When requirements are well-defined, scope is fixed, and
regulatory constraints dictate a sequential process, a predictive
(waterfall) approach provides the structure and documentation needed
for compliance and controlled delivery. Agile methods are less suitable
when scope is not expected to change significantly .
,Question 2
A project manager has just received approval for a new ERP
implementation project. What should the project manager do FIRST?
A. Create the work breakdown structure (WBS)
B. Develop the project management plan
C. Review the project charter and identify stakeholders
D. Conduct a risk identification workshop
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The project charter formally authorizes the project and
provides the project manager with authority. Before planning begins,
the project manager should review the charter to understand the
project's purpose and constraints, and begin identifying stakeholders.
Creating the WBS and developing the project management plan come
later in the planning process .
Question 3
During a predictive project, a team member discovers that a critical
vendor will miss a delivery milestone by three weeks. What should the
project manager do FIRST?
,A. Immediately escalate to the project sponsor
B. Review the procurement agreement and contract terms
C. Update the project schedule baseline
D. Issue a change request to extend the timeline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The procurement agreement and contract terms define the
remedies, notification requirements, and escalation paths for vendor
non-performance. Reviewing these documents first ensures the project
manager takes the correct contractual action before escalating or
modifying baselines .
Question 4
A project manager is developing the project schedule and needs to
identify the sequence of activities with zero float. What is this sequence
called?
A. Critical path
B. Float path
C. Resource-constrained path
, D. Fast-tracked path
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent
activities with zero total float. Any delay on the critical path directly
delays the project completion date. This is a fundamental scheduling
concept in predictive project management .
Question 5
A project has a Cost Performance Index (CPI) of 0.85 and a Schedule
Performance Index (SPI) of 1.10. What does this indicate about the
project's performance?
A. The project is under budget and behind schedule
B. The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
C. The project is over budget and behind schedule
D. The project is under budget and ahead of schedule
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CPI < 1.0 indicates the project is over budget (getting less
value per dollar spent). SPI > 1.0 indicates the project is ahead of
