CMIT CAPSTONE COURSE EXAMINATION
2026/2027 — 100 Questions — Questions, Answers, and Rationales
Computer Information Technology Capstone | UMGC-Aligned Format
Core Domains: Project Management, Network Security, System Analysis, Ethics, Communication, IT
Integration, Career Readiness, Emerging Tech, Critical Thinking, Scenario-Based Decision-Making
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. Passing score: 70–80%. Approximate testing
time: 2–3 hours.
Project Management & SDLC
1. In Agile methodology, what is the primary purpose of a daily stand-up meeting?
A. To provide detailed status reports to project sponsors
B. To synchronize team activities, identify impediments, and promote rapid
communication
C. To conduct code reviews and quality assurance testing
D. To negotiate project scope changes with stakeholders
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The daily stand-up (also called daily scrum) is a core Agile ceremony designed for team
synchronization. Each team member briefly answers three questions: what they accomplished since the
last meeting, what they plan to do next, and what obstacles are blocking progress. The meeting is time-
boxed to 15 minutes, promoting efficiency and rapid identification of impediments that the Scrum Master
then works to resolve. This practice is fundamental to Agile's emphasis on communication and iterative
progress.
2. A project manager uses a Gantt chart during the planning phase of a Waterfall project.
What does a Gantt chart primarily visualize?
A. The organizational hierarchy and resource allocation matrix
B. The schedule of tasks, their durations, dependencies, and milestones along a timeline
C. The risk probability matrix and mitigation strategies
D. The earned value analysis and cost performance index
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that displays project tasks along a timeline, showing
each task's start and end dates, duration, and dependencies (predecessor-successor relationships). In
Waterfall methodology, where the project proceeds through sequential phases (requirements, design,
implementation, testing, deployment), the Gantt chart serves as the primary scheduling tool. Milestones
are represented as diamond symbols. Modern project management tools such as Microsoft Project and
Jira generate Gantt charts automatically from task data.
3. During the Sprint Retrospective in a Scrum framework, the team discusses what went
well, what needs improvement, and actionable changes. Who is required to participate?
A. Only the Scrum Master and Product Owner
B. Only the development team members
C. The entire Scrum Team: Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team
D. All project stakeholders including customers and executives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Sprint Retrospective is the final Scrum event within a sprint and requires participation
from all three Scrum Team roles: the Scrum Master (who facilitates), the Product Owner, and the
Development Team. The retrospective follows a structured format to inspect the sprint's processes, people,
tools, and relationships, then identifies actionable improvements for the next sprint. This continuous
improvement cycle is one of Agile's twelve principles and directly supports the inspect-and-adapt
foundation of empirical process control.
1
,4. A project manager identifies a risk with a probability of 0.3 and an impact cost of
$50,000. What is the expected monetary value (EMV) of this risk?
A. $50,000 B. $15,000
C. $150,000 D. $30,000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expected Monetary Value (EMV) is calculated by multiplying the probability of the risk event
by its financial impact: EMV = Probability x Impact = 0.3 x $50,000 = $15,000. EMV is a quantitative
risk analysis technique used in project management to prioritize risks and calculate contingency reserves.
Positive EMV represents an opportunity, while negative EMV represents a threat. Project managers sum
the EMVs of all identified risks to determine an appropriate contingency reserve for the project budget.
5. In the Waterfall SDLC model, what happens if a critical requirement is discovered during
the testing phase that was missed during requirements gathering?
A. The requirement is documented and implemented in the next project iteration
B. The project must return to the requirements phase, causing significant cost overruns
and schedule delays
C. The requirement is added to a backlog for future consideration
D. The testing phase is extended to accommodate the new requirement without formal change control
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Waterfall is a linear sequential model where each phase must be completed before the next
begins. Unlike Agile, which accommodates changing requirements through iterative sprints, Waterfall
assumes complete and accurate requirements upfront. A critical requirement discovered late in testing
necessitates returning to the requirements phase, triggering a cascade of rework through design,
implementation, and testing. This is Waterfall's primary weakness and the primary motivation for Agile
adoption. The cost of fixing defects increases exponentially the later they are discovered in the SDLC.
6. A Scrum team has a velocity of 40 story points per sprint. The product backlog contains
400 story points of work remaining. Approximately how many sprints are needed to
complete the backlog?
A. 8 sprints B. 10 sprints
C. 12 sprints D. 15 sprints
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Velocity is the average amount of work a Scrum team completes per sprint, measured in
story points. To estimate the number of sprints needed: Number of Sprints = Remaining Story Points /
Velocity = = 10 sprints. This is a straightforward forecasting calculation, though project
managers should account for variability in velocity, scope changes, and team capacity fluctuations.
Velocity should be calculated as an average over the past 3–5 sprints to smooth out anomalies and
provide a more reliable forecast for release planning.
7. A project manager conducts a stakeholder analysis and identifies a stakeholder with high
power and low interest. What is the recommended management strategy?
A. Manage closely with regular engagement and status updates
B. Keep satisfied with minimal effort and periodic monitoring
C. Keep informed with regular newsletters and meeting invitations
D. Monitor with minimal effort as the stakeholder requires little attention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Power/Interest Grid classifies stakeholders into four quadrants based on their level of
power (influence over the project) and interest (level of concern). Stakeholders with high power but low
interest should be kept satisfied, as they have the ability to influence the project but may not actively
engage unless their interests are threatened. The strategy involves providing sufficient attention to
prevent them from becoming dissatisfied. In contrast, high-power/high-interest stakeholders are
managed closely, and low-power/high-interest stakeholders are kept informed.
2
, 8. What is the primary purpose of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in project
management?
A. To assign team members to specific project roles and responsibilities
B. To hierarchically decompose the total scope of work into manageable deliverables and
work packages
C. To establish the project schedule and critical path analysis
D. To calculate the project budget and allocate financial resources
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Work Breakdown Structure is a hierarchical decomposition of the total project scope into
smaller, more manageable components called work packages. The lowest level of the WBS provides the
basis for accurate effort, cost, and duration estimates. The 100% rule states that the WBS must capture
100% of the work defined in the project scope statement, with nothing more and nothing less. WBS is a
foundational tool in project planning and serves as the framework for scheduling, cost estimation,
resource allocation, and risk management.
9. In a Kanban system, what does a WIP (Work In Progress) limit control?
A. The maximum number of story points a team can commit to in a sprint
B. The maximum number of tasks allowed in each workflow stage at any given time
C. The maximum duration a task can remain in a single workflow stage
D. The maximum number of team members who can work on the same project
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Kanban is a visual workflow management method that uses WIP limits to control the flow of
work. A WIP limit sets the maximum number of items that can exist in any workflow stage (column)
simultaneously. When a column reaches its WIP limit, no new items can enter that stage until an item is
completed and moves downstream. This prevents bottlenecks, reduces context switching, highlights
process inefficiencies, and promotes a pull-based system where work is pulled into the next stage only
when capacity is available. WIP limits are the mechanism that enables continuous flow in Kanban.
10. A project is behind schedule with a Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 0.85 and a Cost
Performance Index (CPI) of 1.10. What do these values indicate about the project?
A. The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
B. The project is behind schedule but under budget
C. The project is ahead of schedule but over budget
D. The project is both behind schedule and over budget
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) = Earned Value (EV) / Planned Value (PV). An SPI
less than 1.0 indicates the project is behind schedule (0.85 means 15% behind). The Cost Performance
Index (CPI) = Earned Value (EV) / Actual Cost (AC). A CPI greater than 1.0 indicates the project is under
budget (1.10 means 10% under budget). Earned Value Management (EVM) integrates scope, schedule,
and cost to provide objective project performance measurements. These indices help project managers
identify corrective actions.
11. What is the key difference between verification and validation in software testing?
A. Verification ensures the software works efficiently; validation ensures it is user-friendly
B. Verification checks that the product meets specified requirements; validation checks
that it meets customer needs
C. Verification is performed by the development team; validation is performed by the customer
D. Verification occurs during design; validation occurs during deployment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verification answers the question: Are we building the product right? It involves review
activities such as inspections, walkthroughs, and audits to ensure the deliverables match the documented
specifications. Validation answers: Are we building the right product? It involves testing activities to
confirm the software satisfies the customer's actual needs and intended use. Both are essential
3
2026/2027 — 100 Questions — Questions, Answers, and Rationales
Computer Information Technology Capstone | UMGC-Aligned Format
Core Domains: Project Management, Network Security, System Analysis, Ethics, Communication, IT
Integration, Career Readiness, Emerging Tech, Critical Thinking, Scenario-Based Decision-Making
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. Passing score: 70–80%. Approximate testing
time: 2–3 hours.
Project Management & SDLC
1. In Agile methodology, what is the primary purpose of a daily stand-up meeting?
A. To provide detailed status reports to project sponsors
B. To synchronize team activities, identify impediments, and promote rapid
communication
C. To conduct code reviews and quality assurance testing
D. To negotiate project scope changes with stakeholders
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The daily stand-up (also called daily scrum) is a core Agile ceremony designed for team
synchronization. Each team member briefly answers three questions: what they accomplished since the
last meeting, what they plan to do next, and what obstacles are blocking progress. The meeting is time-
boxed to 15 minutes, promoting efficiency and rapid identification of impediments that the Scrum Master
then works to resolve. This practice is fundamental to Agile's emphasis on communication and iterative
progress.
2. A project manager uses a Gantt chart during the planning phase of a Waterfall project.
What does a Gantt chart primarily visualize?
A. The organizational hierarchy and resource allocation matrix
B. The schedule of tasks, their durations, dependencies, and milestones along a timeline
C. The risk probability matrix and mitigation strategies
D. The earned value analysis and cost performance index
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that displays project tasks along a timeline, showing
each task's start and end dates, duration, and dependencies (predecessor-successor relationships). In
Waterfall methodology, where the project proceeds through sequential phases (requirements, design,
implementation, testing, deployment), the Gantt chart serves as the primary scheduling tool. Milestones
are represented as diamond symbols. Modern project management tools such as Microsoft Project and
Jira generate Gantt charts automatically from task data.
3. During the Sprint Retrospective in a Scrum framework, the team discusses what went
well, what needs improvement, and actionable changes. Who is required to participate?
A. Only the Scrum Master and Product Owner
B. Only the development team members
C. The entire Scrum Team: Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team
D. All project stakeholders including customers and executives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Sprint Retrospective is the final Scrum event within a sprint and requires participation
from all three Scrum Team roles: the Scrum Master (who facilitates), the Product Owner, and the
Development Team. The retrospective follows a structured format to inspect the sprint's processes, people,
tools, and relationships, then identifies actionable improvements for the next sprint. This continuous
improvement cycle is one of Agile's twelve principles and directly supports the inspect-and-adapt
foundation of empirical process control.
1
,4. A project manager identifies a risk with a probability of 0.3 and an impact cost of
$50,000. What is the expected monetary value (EMV) of this risk?
A. $50,000 B. $15,000
C. $150,000 D. $30,000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expected Monetary Value (EMV) is calculated by multiplying the probability of the risk event
by its financial impact: EMV = Probability x Impact = 0.3 x $50,000 = $15,000. EMV is a quantitative
risk analysis technique used in project management to prioritize risks and calculate contingency reserves.
Positive EMV represents an opportunity, while negative EMV represents a threat. Project managers sum
the EMVs of all identified risks to determine an appropriate contingency reserve for the project budget.
5. In the Waterfall SDLC model, what happens if a critical requirement is discovered during
the testing phase that was missed during requirements gathering?
A. The requirement is documented and implemented in the next project iteration
B. The project must return to the requirements phase, causing significant cost overruns
and schedule delays
C. The requirement is added to a backlog for future consideration
D. The testing phase is extended to accommodate the new requirement without formal change control
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Waterfall is a linear sequential model where each phase must be completed before the next
begins. Unlike Agile, which accommodates changing requirements through iterative sprints, Waterfall
assumes complete and accurate requirements upfront. A critical requirement discovered late in testing
necessitates returning to the requirements phase, triggering a cascade of rework through design,
implementation, and testing. This is Waterfall's primary weakness and the primary motivation for Agile
adoption. The cost of fixing defects increases exponentially the later they are discovered in the SDLC.
6. A Scrum team has a velocity of 40 story points per sprint. The product backlog contains
400 story points of work remaining. Approximately how many sprints are needed to
complete the backlog?
A. 8 sprints B. 10 sprints
C. 12 sprints D. 15 sprints
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Velocity is the average amount of work a Scrum team completes per sprint, measured in
story points. To estimate the number of sprints needed: Number of Sprints = Remaining Story Points /
Velocity = = 10 sprints. This is a straightforward forecasting calculation, though project
managers should account for variability in velocity, scope changes, and team capacity fluctuations.
Velocity should be calculated as an average over the past 3–5 sprints to smooth out anomalies and
provide a more reliable forecast for release planning.
7. A project manager conducts a stakeholder analysis and identifies a stakeholder with high
power and low interest. What is the recommended management strategy?
A. Manage closely with regular engagement and status updates
B. Keep satisfied with minimal effort and periodic monitoring
C. Keep informed with regular newsletters and meeting invitations
D. Monitor with minimal effort as the stakeholder requires little attention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Power/Interest Grid classifies stakeholders into four quadrants based on their level of
power (influence over the project) and interest (level of concern). Stakeholders with high power but low
interest should be kept satisfied, as they have the ability to influence the project but may not actively
engage unless their interests are threatened. The strategy involves providing sufficient attention to
prevent them from becoming dissatisfied. In contrast, high-power/high-interest stakeholders are
managed closely, and low-power/high-interest stakeholders are kept informed.
2
, 8. What is the primary purpose of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in project
management?
A. To assign team members to specific project roles and responsibilities
B. To hierarchically decompose the total scope of work into manageable deliverables and
work packages
C. To establish the project schedule and critical path analysis
D. To calculate the project budget and allocate financial resources
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Work Breakdown Structure is a hierarchical decomposition of the total project scope into
smaller, more manageable components called work packages. The lowest level of the WBS provides the
basis for accurate effort, cost, and duration estimates. The 100% rule states that the WBS must capture
100% of the work defined in the project scope statement, with nothing more and nothing less. WBS is a
foundational tool in project planning and serves as the framework for scheduling, cost estimation,
resource allocation, and risk management.
9. In a Kanban system, what does a WIP (Work In Progress) limit control?
A. The maximum number of story points a team can commit to in a sprint
B. The maximum number of tasks allowed in each workflow stage at any given time
C. The maximum duration a task can remain in a single workflow stage
D. The maximum number of team members who can work on the same project
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Kanban is a visual workflow management method that uses WIP limits to control the flow of
work. A WIP limit sets the maximum number of items that can exist in any workflow stage (column)
simultaneously. When a column reaches its WIP limit, no new items can enter that stage until an item is
completed and moves downstream. This prevents bottlenecks, reduces context switching, highlights
process inefficiencies, and promotes a pull-based system where work is pulled into the next stage only
when capacity is available. WIP limits are the mechanism that enables continuous flow in Kanban.
10. A project is behind schedule with a Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 0.85 and a Cost
Performance Index (CPI) of 1.10. What do these values indicate about the project?
A. The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
B. The project is behind schedule but under budget
C. The project is ahead of schedule but over budget
D. The project is both behind schedule and over budget
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) = Earned Value (EV) / Planned Value (PV). An SPI
less than 1.0 indicates the project is behind schedule (0.85 means 15% behind). The Cost Performance
Index (CPI) = Earned Value (EV) / Actual Cost (AC). A CPI greater than 1.0 indicates the project is under
budget (1.10 means 10% under budget). Earned Value Management (EVM) integrates scope, schedule,
and cost to provide objective project performance measurements. These indices help project managers
identify corrective actions.
11. What is the key difference between verification and validation in software testing?
A. Verification ensures the software works efficiently; validation ensures it is user-friendly
B. Verification checks that the product meets specified requirements; validation checks
that it meets customer needs
C. Verification is performed by the development team; validation is performed by the customer
D. Verification occurs during design; validation occurs during deployment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verification answers the question: Are we building the product right? It involves review
activities such as inspections, walkthroughs, and audits to ensure the deliverables match the documented
specifications. Validation answers: Are we building the right product? It involves testing activities to
confirm the software satisfies the customer's actual needs and intended use. Both are essential
3
