APM PMQ EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
What are the stages of a linear life cycle? -Correct Answer ✔Concept, Definition,
Deployment, Transition
What is the best type of life cycle to use for a stable low-risk project? -Correct Answer
✔Linear life cycle
State the three types of life cycle. -Correct Answer ✔Linear, Iterative, Hybrid
What is the main characteristic of an iterative life cycle? -Correct Answer ✔It repeats
one of more phases
When is an iterative life cycle beneficial? -Correct Answer ✔If the project scope is vague,
or if the solutions are unclear
What are the three stages of Evolutionary Development in an Iterative lifecycle? -Correct
Answer ✔Assemble, Review, Deploy
What is the definition of a hybrid life cycle? -Correct Answer ✔It adds iteration to a
linear life cycle to enable a mix of approaches
Give one difference between a Project Life Cycle and an Extended Life Cycle? -Correct
Answer ✔A project life cycle contains the phases up to transition and closure, whereas
an extended life cycle goes beyond the transition and closure phase to include the
benefits realisation phase and adoption of outputs.
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What are the two extra phases of an Extended life cycle? -Correct Answer ✔Adoption,
Benefits Realisation
What are the different Documentation Requirements for a Project lifecycle vs. an
Extended lifecycle? -Correct Answer ✔A project lifecycle focuses on documentation
required for project execution and closure, such as project plans, progress reports, and
final reviews.
An extended lifecycle requires comprehensive documentation that extends into
operational manuals, long-term maintenance schedules, and end user support materials.
How are Changes Managed for a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended lifecycle? -Correct
Answer ✔Project Lifecycle - Changes are managed within the confines of the project's
timeline and aim to minimise disruptions to the initial plan.
Extended lifecycle - Incorporates continuous change management to adapt to evolving
technologies, user requirements, and operational challenges over time.
How is Quality Assurance carried out in Project lifecycle vs. Extended Lifecycle? -Correct
Answer ✔Project lifecycle - Quality assurance processes are designed to ensure that the
project meets defined standards and specifications at closure.
Extended lifecycle - Ongoing quality assurance is crucial to maintain the integrity,
performance, and safety of the project outcomes throughout their lifecycle.
How are Resources Allocated in a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended lifecycle? -Correct
Answer ✔Project lifecycle - Resources are allocated and managed with the goal of
project completion, and resource engagement typically concludes with the project
Extended lifecycle - Resource allocation is dynamic and may increase or decrease based
on the phase of the lifecycle, such as during major upgrades or routine maintenance.
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How do skills and expertise differ across a Project lifecycle vs. an Extended Lifecycle? -
Correct Answer ✔Project lifecycle - Requires skills relevant to project management and
technical execution specific to the project's requirements.
Extended lifecycle - Demands a broader range of skills, including operational
management, technical support, and lifecycle management expertise.
How do Feedback Mechanisms differ in a Project Lifecycle vs an Extended Lifecycle? -
Correct Answer ✔Project lifecycle - Feedback is often project-focused and gathered
during the project to refine processes and outputs.
Extended lifecycle - Continuous feedback loops are essential for adapting to user
experiences, technological advancements, and market changes
How do Sustainability Considerations differ in a Project Lifecycle vs an Extended
Lifecycle? -Correct Answer ✔Project lifecycle - Sustainability may be considered in terms
of project deliverables and immediate environmental impacts.
Extended lifecycle - Includes long-term sustainability planning, focusing on
environmental impact, resource use, and economic viability over the entire lifecycle.
How is Legal and Compliance handled in a Project lifecycle vs. Extended lifecycle? -
Correct Answer ✔Project lifecycle - Compliance is targeted at meeting the legal
requirements up to the project's delivery
Extended lifecycle - Extends compliance to include regulatory requirements that affect
the ongoing use, updates, and eventual decommissioning of the project deliverables
Why might an organisation favour a linear project lifecycle? (5 reasons) -Correct Answer
✔Where a highly structured, predictable and stable process is needed which offers
transparency and maximum control and governance.
Where there is availability of relatively perfect knowledge upfront.
Which might be resistant to change and inflexible in terms of corrections and rework.
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Where knowledge / teams are divided into distinct phases, creating silos and knowledge
barriers between the phases, particularly when different delivery agents will deliver
different phases.
Lower appetite for risk
Why might an organisation favour an iterative lifecycle? (5) -Correct Answer ✔Where
development projects are agile.
Where departments are flexible, adaptable and open to change.
They favour the idea of concurrency, or simultaneous engineering, where different
development steps are allowed to be performed in parallel.
They can manage uncertainty regarding the scope by allowing the objectives to evolve
throughout the life cycle as learning and discovery take place.
Prototypes, timeboxes or parallel activities are utilised to acquire new insights, obtain
feedback or explore high-risk options.
What Organisational Context and Culture would define the influence on life cycle choice
for an organisation? (3) -Correct Answer ✔Risk Tolerance, Decision making style, Change
Readiness
What Project-Specific Needs would define the influence on life cycle choice for an
organisation? (3) -Correct Answer ✔Project complexity, Requirement stability,
Stakeholder engagement, Resource Availability
Give three examples of necessary adaptations to lifecycle. -Correct Answer ✔Phased
Implementation, Custom Iterations, Integration of Agile Techniques
Give two strengths and two limitations of Linear Lifecycles. -Correct Answer ✔Strengths:
Suitable for low-risk projects, Provides a clear framework for the team to follow.
APM PMQ