PMI SCHEDULING PROFESSIONAL (PMI-SP)® EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS ( ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE
Q&A.
Schedule Strategy (Questions 1–7)
1. A project manager is developing the schedule management plan for a
multi-year infrastructure project. The organization has mandated that
all schedules must be developed using the critical path method (CPM).
Which document should the scheduler reference FIRST to understand
the organization's scheduling policies and procedures?
A. Project charter
B. Enterprise environmental factors
C. Organizational process assets
D. Schedule management plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Organizational process assets (OPAs) include the
organization's scheduling methodology, policies, procedures, and
,templates. While the project charter authorizes the project, OPAs
provide the specific scheduling approach the organization requires.
2. A scheduler is determining the appropriate scheduling methodology
for a project with high uncertainty and rapidly changing requirements.
The project team works in iterative two-week cycles. Which scheduling
approach is MOST appropriate?
A. Deterministic CPM scheduling with a detailed WBS
B. Rolling wave planning with progressively elaborated schedules
C. Resource-leveled schedule with mandatory constraints
D. Precedence diagramming method with finish-to-start relationships
only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling wave planning is appropriate when requirements are
evolving. It allows the team to plan in detail for the near term while
keeping future work at a higher level, aligning with iterative or agile
delivery approaches.
,3. A project scheduler is establishing the schedule model for a
construction project. The project sponsor insists on a fixed completion
date that is earlier than the calculated critical path duration. What is
the MOST likely result of imposing this constraint?
A. The critical path will shorten automatically
B. Negative total float will appear on the schedule
C. Resource leveling will resolve the date discrepancy
D. The project will finish on time without additional action
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a constraint date is earlier than the logical completion
date, the schedule will show negative float, indicating that the project
cannot meet the imposed date under current logic and durations.
Corrective action (crashing, fast tracking, scope change) would be
required.
4. Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a schedule
strategy in the PMI-SP framework?
A. To define the project's cost baseline
, B. To establish the approach, policies, and procedures for developing
and managing the schedule
C. To identify and assign all project resources
D. To document the project's quality requirements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schedule strategy encompasses the approach, methodology,
policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities for schedule
development, management, and control. It is the foundational planning
element for scheduling.
5. A scheduler is developing the schedule for a project that must
comply with regulatory milestones. The regulatory dates cannot be
changed. How should these dates be represented in the schedule
model?
A. As summary activities with zero duration
B. As mandatory constraints (e.g., "Must Finish On" or "Finish No Later
Than")
C. As leads and lags between activities
D. As resource calendars
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS ( ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE
Q&A.
Schedule Strategy (Questions 1–7)
1. A project manager is developing the schedule management plan for a
multi-year infrastructure project. The organization has mandated that
all schedules must be developed using the critical path method (CPM).
Which document should the scheduler reference FIRST to understand
the organization's scheduling policies and procedures?
A. Project charter
B. Enterprise environmental factors
C. Organizational process assets
D. Schedule management plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Organizational process assets (OPAs) include the
organization's scheduling methodology, policies, procedures, and
,templates. While the project charter authorizes the project, OPAs
provide the specific scheduling approach the organization requires.
2. A scheduler is determining the appropriate scheduling methodology
for a project with high uncertainty and rapidly changing requirements.
The project team works in iterative two-week cycles. Which scheduling
approach is MOST appropriate?
A. Deterministic CPM scheduling with a detailed WBS
B. Rolling wave planning with progressively elaborated schedules
C. Resource-leveled schedule with mandatory constraints
D. Precedence diagramming method with finish-to-start relationships
only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling wave planning is appropriate when requirements are
evolving. It allows the team to plan in detail for the near term while
keeping future work at a higher level, aligning with iterative or agile
delivery approaches.
,3. A project scheduler is establishing the schedule model for a
construction project. The project sponsor insists on a fixed completion
date that is earlier than the calculated critical path duration. What is
the MOST likely result of imposing this constraint?
A. The critical path will shorten automatically
B. Negative total float will appear on the schedule
C. Resource leveling will resolve the date discrepancy
D. The project will finish on time without additional action
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a constraint date is earlier than the logical completion
date, the schedule will show negative float, indicating that the project
cannot meet the imposed date under current logic and durations.
Corrective action (crashing, fast tracking, scope change) would be
required.
4. Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a schedule
strategy in the PMI-SP framework?
A. To define the project's cost baseline
, B. To establish the approach, policies, and procedures for developing
and managing the schedule
C. To identify and assign all project resources
D. To document the project's quality requirements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schedule strategy encompasses the approach, methodology,
policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities for schedule
development, management, and control. It is the foundational planning
element for scheduling.
5. A scheduler is developing the schedule for a project that must
comply with regulatory milestones. The regulatory dates cannot be
changed. How should these dates be represented in the schedule
model?
A. As summary activities with zero duration
B. As mandatory constraints (e.g., "Must Finish On" or "Finish No Later
Than")
C. As leads and lags between activities
D. As resource calendars
