DAU PM Practitioner Certification | PMT 4890V Program Management Practitioner
Certification Exam Study Guide & Exam Prep 2026–2027 | Defense Acquisition
University PM Practitioner Review | DoD Program Management Certification, Program
Management, Defense Acquisition, Acquisition Ethics, Procurement Integrity,
Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition Management, Intermediate Systems Acquisition,
Acquisition Strategy, Systems Engineering, Test & Evaluation, Integrated Product
Teams (IPT), Team Management & Leadership, Program Management Tools, Risk
Management, Schedule Management, Cost Management, Performance Management,
Earned Value Management (EVM), Requirements Management, Systems Acquisition
Lifecycle, Milestone Decisions, Program Baselines, Technical Performance, Business
& Financial Management, Budgeting, Cost Estimating, Contracting, Acquisition
Planning, Stakeholder Management, Decision Analysis, Program Execution, Program
Oversight & Acquisition Workforce Practices | Practice Questions, Scenario-Based
Review & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: What is the primary objective of the Defense Acquisition System
(DAS)?
A. To acquire the lowest-cost solutions regardless of capability
B. To deliver effective, suitable, survivable, sustainable, and affordable solutions
to the end user in a timely manner
C. To maximize profits for defense contractors
D. To replace all existing military systems
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To deliver effective, suitable, survivable, sustainable, and
affordable solutions to the end user in a timely manner
Rationale: The DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) supports the Defense
Acquisition System (DAS) with the objective of delivering effective, suitable,
survivable, sustainable, and affordable solutions to the end user in a timely
manner.
Question 2: What did the adoption of the Joint Capabilities Integration and
Development System (JCIDS) allow DoD to do?
A. Shift from a threat-based approach to identifying warfighter requirements to a
capabilities-based approach
B. Increase reliance on single-source contractors
C. Eliminate the need for operational testing
D. Reduce congressional oversight of acquisition programs
,CORRECT ANSWER: A. Shift from a threat-based approach to identifying
warfighter requirements to a capabilities-based approach
Rationale: The adoption of JCIDS allowed DoD to shift from a threat-based
approach to identifying warfighter requirements to a capabilities-based approach.
Question 3: Who is responsible for the Planning and Programming phases of the
Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) System?
A. Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (D, CAPE)
B. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
D. Secretary of the Navy
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (D,
CAPE)
Rationale: The Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (D, CAPE) is
responsible for the Planning and Programming phases of the PPBE System.
Question 4: If a Program Manager's current estimate indicates a potential
breach of the Acquisition Program Baseline (APB), the Milestone Decision
Authority (MDA) should be notified:
A. Within 30 days
B. At the next scheduled review
C. Immediately
D. After the breach has been confirmed
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Immediately
Rationale: If a Program Manager's current estimate indicates a potential breach of
the Acquisition Program Baseline (APB), the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA)
should be notified immediately.
Question 5: Which Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) pathway has the
objective to field a prototype that meets requirements, can be demonstrated in
an operational environment, and provide residual capability within 5 years?
A. Urgent Capability Acquisition (UCA)
B. Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA)
,C. Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)
D. Defense Business Systems (DBS)
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA)
Rationale: The Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) pathway has the objective to field a
prototype that meets requirements, can be demonstrated in an operational
environment, and provide residual capability within 5 years.
Question 6: What document establishes the flexible management framework
for translating approved capability needs and technology opportunities into
stable, affordable, and well-managed acquisition programs?
A. CJCSI 3170.01
B. DoDI 5000.02
C. DoDD 5134.01
D. DoDI 5000.01
CORRECT ANSWER: B. DoDI 5000.02
Rationale: DoDI 5000.02, "Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework,"
establishes the management framework for translating approved capability needs
and technology opportunities into stable, affordable acquisition programs.
Question 7: What does the acronym AAF stand for?
A. Advanced Acquisition Framework
B. Adaptive Acquisition Framework
C. Agile Acquisition Framework
D. Automated Acquisition Framework
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Adaptive Acquisition Framework
Rationale: AAF stands for Adaptive Acquisition Framework. It consists of six
pathways from which the PM and MDA choose how to acquire a new capability
for the DoD.
Question 8: What are the six AAF pathways?
A. Urgent Capability Acquisition, Middle Tier Acquisition, Major Capability
Acquisition, Software Acquisition, Defense Business Systems, Acquisition of
Services
, B. Rapid Acquisition, Emergency Acquisition, Standard Acquisition, IT Acquisition,
Business Systems, Contract Services
C. Urgent Needs, Rapid Fielding, Major Programs, Software Development,
Business IT, Service Contracts
D. Quick Reaction, Prototype Development, Full Production, Software Pathways,
Business Systems, Service Acquisition
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Urgent Capability Acquisition, Middle Tier Acquisition,
Major Capability Acquisition, Software Acquisition, Defense Business Systems,
Acquisition of Services
Rationale: The six AAF pathways are: (1) Urgent Capability Acquisition, (2) Middle
Tier Acquisition, (3) Major Capability Acquisition, (4) Software Acquisition, (5)
Defense Business Systems, and (6) Acquisition of Services.
Question 9: Which AAF pathway fields capabilities to fulfill urgent existing
and/or emerging operational needs or quick reactions in less than two years?
A. Middle Tier Acquisition
B. Major Capability Acquisition
C. Urgent Capability Acquisition
D. Software Acquisition
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Urgent Capability Acquisition
Rationale: The Urgent Capability Acquisition (UCA) pathway is designed to field
capabilities to fulfill urgent existing or emerging operational needs or quick
reactions in less than two years.
Question 10: Which AAF pathway is used to acquire and modernize military-
unique programs that provide enduring capability?
A. Urgent Capability Acquisition
B. Middle Tier Acquisition
C. Major Capability Acquisition
D. Acquisition of Services
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Major Capability Acquisition
Certification Exam Study Guide & Exam Prep 2026–2027 | Defense Acquisition
University PM Practitioner Review | DoD Program Management Certification, Program
Management, Defense Acquisition, Acquisition Ethics, Procurement Integrity,
Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition Management, Intermediate Systems Acquisition,
Acquisition Strategy, Systems Engineering, Test & Evaluation, Integrated Product
Teams (IPT), Team Management & Leadership, Program Management Tools, Risk
Management, Schedule Management, Cost Management, Performance Management,
Earned Value Management (EVM), Requirements Management, Systems Acquisition
Lifecycle, Milestone Decisions, Program Baselines, Technical Performance, Business
& Financial Management, Budgeting, Cost Estimating, Contracting, Acquisition
Planning, Stakeholder Management, Decision Analysis, Program Execution, Program
Oversight & Acquisition Workforce Practices | Practice Questions, Scenario-Based
Review & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: What is the primary objective of the Defense Acquisition System
(DAS)?
A. To acquire the lowest-cost solutions regardless of capability
B. To deliver effective, suitable, survivable, sustainable, and affordable solutions
to the end user in a timely manner
C. To maximize profits for defense contractors
D. To replace all existing military systems
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To deliver effective, suitable, survivable, sustainable, and
affordable solutions to the end user in a timely manner
Rationale: The DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) supports the Defense
Acquisition System (DAS) with the objective of delivering effective, suitable,
survivable, sustainable, and affordable solutions to the end user in a timely
manner.
Question 2: What did the adoption of the Joint Capabilities Integration and
Development System (JCIDS) allow DoD to do?
A. Shift from a threat-based approach to identifying warfighter requirements to a
capabilities-based approach
B. Increase reliance on single-source contractors
C. Eliminate the need for operational testing
D. Reduce congressional oversight of acquisition programs
,CORRECT ANSWER: A. Shift from a threat-based approach to identifying
warfighter requirements to a capabilities-based approach
Rationale: The adoption of JCIDS allowed DoD to shift from a threat-based
approach to identifying warfighter requirements to a capabilities-based approach.
Question 3: Who is responsible for the Planning and Programming phases of the
Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) System?
A. Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (D, CAPE)
B. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
D. Secretary of the Navy
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (D,
CAPE)
Rationale: The Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (D, CAPE) is
responsible for the Planning and Programming phases of the PPBE System.
Question 4: If a Program Manager's current estimate indicates a potential
breach of the Acquisition Program Baseline (APB), the Milestone Decision
Authority (MDA) should be notified:
A. Within 30 days
B. At the next scheduled review
C. Immediately
D. After the breach has been confirmed
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Immediately
Rationale: If a Program Manager's current estimate indicates a potential breach of
the Acquisition Program Baseline (APB), the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA)
should be notified immediately.
Question 5: Which Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) pathway has the
objective to field a prototype that meets requirements, can be demonstrated in
an operational environment, and provide residual capability within 5 years?
A. Urgent Capability Acquisition (UCA)
B. Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA)
,C. Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)
D. Defense Business Systems (DBS)
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA)
Rationale: The Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) pathway has the objective to field a
prototype that meets requirements, can be demonstrated in an operational
environment, and provide residual capability within 5 years.
Question 6: What document establishes the flexible management framework
for translating approved capability needs and technology opportunities into
stable, affordable, and well-managed acquisition programs?
A. CJCSI 3170.01
B. DoDI 5000.02
C. DoDD 5134.01
D. DoDI 5000.01
CORRECT ANSWER: B. DoDI 5000.02
Rationale: DoDI 5000.02, "Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework,"
establishes the management framework for translating approved capability needs
and technology opportunities into stable, affordable acquisition programs.
Question 7: What does the acronym AAF stand for?
A. Advanced Acquisition Framework
B. Adaptive Acquisition Framework
C. Agile Acquisition Framework
D. Automated Acquisition Framework
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Adaptive Acquisition Framework
Rationale: AAF stands for Adaptive Acquisition Framework. It consists of six
pathways from which the PM and MDA choose how to acquire a new capability
for the DoD.
Question 8: What are the six AAF pathways?
A. Urgent Capability Acquisition, Middle Tier Acquisition, Major Capability
Acquisition, Software Acquisition, Defense Business Systems, Acquisition of
Services
, B. Rapid Acquisition, Emergency Acquisition, Standard Acquisition, IT Acquisition,
Business Systems, Contract Services
C. Urgent Needs, Rapid Fielding, Major Programs, Software Development,
Business IT, Service Contracts
D. Quick Reaction, Prototype Development, Full Production, Software Pathways,
Business Systems, Service Acquisition
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Urgent Capability Acquisition, Middle Tier Acquisition,
Major Capability Acquisition, Software Acquisition, Defense Business Systems,
Acquisition of Services
Rationale: The six AAF pathways are: (1) Urgent Capability Acquisition, (2) Middle
Tier Acquisition, (3) Major Capability Acquisition, (4) Software Acquisition, (5)
Defense Business Systems, and (6) Acquisition of Services.
Question 9: Which AAF pathway fields capabilities to fulfill urgent existing
and/or emerging operational needs or quick reactions in less than two years?
A. Middle Tier Acquisition
B. Major Capability Acquisition
C. Urgent Capability Acquisition
D. Software Acquisition
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Urgent Capability Acquisition
Rationale: The Urgent Capability Acquisition (UCA) pathway is designed to field
capabilities to fulfill urgent existing or emerging operational needs or quick
reactions in less than two years.
Question 10: Which AAF pathway is used to acquire and modernize military-
unique programs that provide enduring capability?
A. Urgent Capability Acquisition
B. Middle Tier Acquisition
C. Major Capability Acquisition
D. Acquisition of Services
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Major Capability Acquisition
