Project Management Concepts for CompTIA Project+

Sample Practice Questions

1. Question 1

   A project manager prefers to have immediate contact with team members because it allows for faster response times and more interactive discussions. Which of the following communication methods should the project manager use?
   1. A. Synchronous
   2. B. Informal
   3. C. Asynchronous
   4. D. Formal
   Explanation

   The correct answer is: A. Synchronous.

   Synchronous communication takes place in real time with all parties present, supporting immediate contact and interactive discussion. Informal describes the tone of communication rather than its real-time nature. Asynchronous communication allows participants to respond on their own schedule and is the opposite of what the PM wants. Formal describes the structured-versus-casual register rather than timing. Because the PM specifically wants immediate, real-time contact, synchronous is the correct method.

2. Question 2

   A project manager realizes that a project will not be completed on time due to resource constraints. Which of the following actions should the project manager take NEXT?
   1. A. Trigger the contingency plan and communicate with the stakeholders.
   2. B. Work with the functional managers to create a work-around.
   3. C. Submit a change request to the change control board.
   4. D. Transfer the risk by hiring a new vendor who was successful on a previous project.
   5. E. Set up an escalation meeting with the sponsor.
   Explanation

   The correct answer is: B. Work with the functional managers to create a work-around..

   When resource constraints will cause schedule slippage, the PM works with functional managers to create a work-around because functional managers control resource allocation in most organizational structures. Triggering the contingency plan applies if a specific risk-event response was pre-prepared for this situation. Submitting a change request to the CCB is appropriate later if scope, schedule, or cost will change. Transferring risk by hiring a new vendor is a heavy step before the simpler functional-manager negotiation. Setting up an escalation meeting with the sponsor is appropriate if functional negotiations fail. Because resource conflicts live with functional managers, that is the next step.

3. Question 3

   By developing a project schedule, a PM has already validated the constraints, outlined the duration of the tasks and the phases, and confirmed the proper sequence and flow of the project. Which of the following activities still needs to be performed to complete the schedule?
   1. A. Allocate resources.
   2. B. Determine the project budget.
   3. C. Develop a communication plan.
   4. D. Establish baselines.
   Explanation

   The correct answer is: A. Allocate resources..

   After validating constraints, outlining durations, and confirming sequences, the next scheduling step is to allocate resources to tasks so each task has the people and equipment needed to be performed. Determining the project budget is downstream of resource allocation, since cost depends on resourcing. Developing a communication plan happens in parallel as a planning activity but is not the next scheduling step. Establishing baselines is the formalization step that comes after resources are also assigned. Because the next schedule-creating step after sequencing is staffing the tasks, allocating resources is correct.

4. Question 4

   The project team determines that software installation can only begin after the desktops have been installed and can be powered on. Which of the following dependencies does this represent?
   1. A. External
   2. B. Internal
   3. C. Mandatory
   4. D. Discretionary
   Explanation

   The correct answer is: C. Mandatory.

   When software installation can only begin after desktops have been installed and powered on, the dependency is mandatory — it is a hard physical requirement that cannot be relaxed. An external dependency would involve a party outside the project. An internal dependency is within the project but not necessarily hard-physical. A discretionary dependency is a preferred ordering that could be relaxed if needed. Because the physical sequence is required by the technology, mandatory is correct.

5. Question 5

   In a functional organization, a project has been completed successfully. Which of the following actions would the project manager MOST likely perform?
   1. A. Assemble a new project with existing resources.
   2. B. Obtain the final report from release management.
   3. C. Notify the functional manager that resources are released.
   4. D. Allocate resources in a different project.
   Explanation

   The correct answer is: C. Notify the functional manager that resources are released..

   In a functional organizational structure, project resources belong to functional managers who lend them to projects, so when a project completes the PM notifies the functional manager that resources are released to return them. Assembling a new project with existing resources is not necessarily the PM's authority in a functional structure. Obtaining a final report from release management does not address resource return. Allocating resources to a different project bypasses the functional-manager hierarchy. Because resources in a functional structure return to functional managers, notifying them is correct.

Other CompTIA Project+ domains

• Basics of IT and Governance (80 questions)
• Project Life Cycle Phases (151 questions)
• Tools and Documentation (144 questions)