CompTIA Project+ Sample Questions With Full Explanations
Here are 8 multiple-choice questions designed to mirror the difficulty and style of the CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005) exam, covering key domains such as project initiation, stakeholder management, scheduling, risk, and change control.
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. These questions focus on practical application and scenario-based decision-making, just like the real exam. Our post on PSM I Sample Questions With Full Explanations covers this further.
Q1. A project manager is defining the scope of a new mobile application. During a stakeholder interview, the sponsor mentions a "must-have" feature that would require significant additional time and budget. Which document should the project manager update first to formally capture this new requirement for evaluation?
A. The project charter
B. The scope management plan
C. The issue log
D. The change request form
Answer: D
Explanation: New requirements that impact scope, schedule, or budget must be formally documented as a change request. The change request is then evaluated by the change control board (CCB) before any baseline documents like the charter or scope baseline are updated. The issue log is for problems, not new features.
Q2. A project team member is consistently missing deadlines, causing the critical path to slip. The project manager has already had a private conversation with the team member, but the behavior has not changed. What is the NEXT step for the project manager?
A. Immediately replace the team member on the project.
B. Escalate the issue to the team member's functional manager.
C. Document the missed deadlines in the project's issue log and move on.
D. Re-estimate the project schedule to accommodate the delays.
Answer: B
Explanation: When direct coaching fails, the project manager should escalate the performance issue to the team member's functional manager, who has administrative authority over the resource. Replacing the team member immediately is too drastic without escalation, and re-estimating the schedule accepts the poor performance without addressing the root cause.
Q3. During project execution, a key stakeholder requests a change that will add a new feature to the project's main deliverable. The project manager determines this change will not affect the project's critical path or overall budget. What should the project manager do FIRST?
A. Implement the change immediately since it has no impact.
B. Update the project management plan to reflect the new feature.
C. Submit the change request to the change control board (CCB) for review.
D. Inform the stakeholder that the change is too risky to implement. See also PSM II Sample Questions With Full Explanations for a complementary perspective.
Answer: C
Explanation: All change requests, regardless of perceived impact, must go through the formal change control process. The project manager cannot unilaterally decide to implement or reject a change. The CCB will formally evaluate the impact and make the final decision on approval.
Q4. A project to upgrade a company's network infrastructure is running two weeks behind schedule. The project manager has identified a task that can be split into two parts, allowing portions to be worked on simultaneously. Which schedule compression technique is the project manager using?
A. Crashing
B. Fast tracking
C. Resource leveling
D. Monte Carlo analysis
Answer: B
Explanation: Fast tracking involves performing activities in parallel that were originally planned to be done sequentially. Crashing involves adding resources to tasks, which is not what is described here. Resource leveling adjusts the start and finish dates to address resource constraints, not to compress the schedule.
Q5. A project manager is in the process of identifying stakeholders for a new project. Which activity is MOST crucial for the success of this process?
A. Creating a detailed project schedule.
B. Analyzing the interests and influence of each stakeholder.
C. Assigning project tasks to the identified stakeholders.
D. Calculating the project's total budget.
Answer: B
Explanation: Identifying stakeholders is not just about listing names; it involves analyzing their interest, influence, and expectations to develop appropriate management strategies. Creating the schedule and budget are separate processes that occur after planning is initiated, and task assignment happens later in the planning phase.
To bring that same sequencing to your own exam preparation, use the free CompTIA Project+ study plan for a schedule that fits your available time.
Q6. A project team is using a Kanban board to manage their work. A work-in-progress (WIP) limit has been set for the "In Progress" column. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this WIP limit?
A. To ensure the team completes tasks in a specific order.
B. To track the total number of tasks in the project backlog. Looking for more detail? See Free CompTIA Project+ Study Resources That Are Actually Worth Your Time.
C. To identify bottlenecks by preventing the team from starting too much work at once.
D. To calculate the team's velocity for future sprint planning.
Answer: C
Explanation: WIP limits are a core principle of Kanban. By limiting how many tasks can be in progress at once, the team is forced to focus on finishing existing work before starting new work, which reveals and helps resolve bottlenecks. Velocity is a Scrum metric, and WIP limits are not about task order.
Q7. The project sponsor has approved the project charter, and the project manager is now ready to begin detailed planning. Which of the following is a KEY input to the "Develop Project Management Plan" process?
A. The project charter
B. The project schedule
C. The work breakdown structure (WBS)
D. The risk register
Answer: A
Explanation: The project charter is the foundational document that authorizes the project and provides the high-level requirements and constraints. It is a primary input to creating the project management plan. The schedule, WBS, and risk register are all outputs of the planning process, not inputs to starting it.
Q8. A project is nearing completion. The project manager is conducting the "Close Project or Phase" process. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this process?
A. To celebrate the team's success and disband the team.
B. To finalize all activities and formally close the project.
C. To create a detailed report on the project's financial performance.
D. To conduct the final team performance reviews.
Answer: B
Explanation: The primary purpose of the closing process is to finalize all activities across all process groups to formally complete the project or phase. While celebrating and final reports are parts of it, the main goal is the formal closure, including handing off the deliverable and archiving documents.
These questions should give you a solid feel for the analytical and situational judgment required on the Project+ exam. Remember to focus on the process and the order of operations as defined by CompTIA, rather than just memorizing definitions. Good luck with your studies!
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