Free Practice Questions for PMI PMP Exam

In PMP terms, when a performance issue is identified during execution, the project manager’s first responsibility is to engage the right stakeholders to understand impact, urgency, and constraints, then drive an appropriate response through the project’s governance. Performance problems typically affect scope, schedule, cost, quality, or risk, so the PM should collaborate with stakeholders (including sponsor, customer reps, functional leads) and the team to assess the variance, identify root causes, and evaluate options. This aligns with monitoring and controlling objectives: validate the issue, analyze impacts, and decide whether corrective action, preventive action, or a change request is needed. Immediately submitting a change request (A) may be premature if the issue can be resolved within existing authority or thresholds. Sending it to SMEs (C) can help technically, but accountability remains with the PM to coordinate resolution and communication. Reviewing tender requirements (B) may inform acceptance criteria, but it does not actively resolve the issue.

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When work is repeatedly “nearly done” but fails iteration expectations and returns to the backlog, the most common control problem is weak adherence to the Definition of Done. The DoD is a shared, explicit quality and completeness standard that ensures increments are potentially shippable and reduces rework. Emphasizing and reinforcing the DoD (C) addresses the systemic cause: inconsistent quality gates, missing testing, incomplete documentation, or unclear completion criteria. Updating acceptance criteria (B) can help at the user-story level, but acceptance criteria alone do not ensure the team’s internal quality activities are completed (e.g., code review, unit tests, integration, security checks). Deferring fixes to the next release (A) normalizes technical debt and undermines predictability and value delivery. Extending iterations (D) masks the issue and harms cadence; it reduces transparency and does not improve quality discipline. Strengthening DoD usage improves throughput, transparency, and predictability—key agile objectives—and aligns with continuous improvement and quality management practices expected in PMP-aligned delivery.

In agile, the team should focus on completing the sprint goal and finishing the committed work before pulling in future sprint items. If a team member has capacity and can help with work already selected for the sprint, the best action is to reassign them to other tasks in the current sprint (C). This supports flow and increases the likelihood that all committed backlog items meet the Definition of Done, reducing spillover and improving predictability. Validating completeness (A) is important, but it is not the best use of a skilled person’s capacity if there is still unfinished sprint work elsewhere; quality validation should be integrated into DoD and team practices. Increasing velocity (B) is not something a PM “does” directly; velocity is an empirical measure, and artificially pushing it can harm quality. Starting next sprint tasks early (D) risks undermining sprint planning, creating partial work, and distracting from the sprint goal. Helping finish current sprint items maximizes value delivery and maintains agile discipline.

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Because the sponsor accepts the roadmap, the project manager should work constructively within governance rather than escalate prematurely or disengage. First, the project manager should discuss the reasoning behind the roadmap with the influential stakeholder (E) to understand underlying concerns, assumptions, and constraints. This supports relationship management, reduces resistance, and may uncover risks or compliance issues tied to the stakeholder’s preferred practices. Second, the project manager should align the roadmap within the project framework and perform a risk analysis (A). This translates the roadmap into the project’s delivery and control structure, identifies gaps versus standard procedures, and documents impacts to scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk exposure. These two actions together allow the project manager to both engage the stakeholder effectively and protect the project by making risks visible and manageable. Immediately aligning deliverables (B) without risk analysis can embed avoidable issues. PMO review (C) may be appropriate later if governance or standards are threatened, but it is not the first move when sponsor acceptance exists. Reassignment (D) is unprofessional and avoids accountability.

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For a large, complex project with many specialized tasks, the most effective organizing mechanism is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). The WBS decomposes project deliverables into smaller, manageable components (work packages), creating a structured view of “all the work required” to complete the project scope. This enables assignment of responsibility (e.g., via a responsibility assignment matrix), better estimating, clearer tracking, and tighter control. Work packages become the foundation for developing the activity list and schedule, estimating costs, planning quality, and managing procurement and risks. Sending a task list to a sponsor is not a planning strategy and does not provide a scope-based hierarchy. Eliminating tasks with stakeholders may be helpful only after scope is defined and validated; it doesn’t organize work. A resource management plan supports how resources are acquired and managed, but it does not break down deliverables into monitorable units of work. The WBS is the central scope artifact that turns complexity into a controllable structure and supports execution, monitoring, and reporting.

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When a key role such as the product owner is unresponsive and story refinement suffers, the project manager’s first action should be to understand why before selecting a remedy. Root cause analysis (B) aligns with PMP problem-solving and agile continuous improvement: determine whether the issue is capacity, competing priorities, lack of decision authority, unclear expectations, inadequate onboarding to the role, or organizational impediments. Without diagnosis, “solutions” can worsen the situation—extending sprints (A) reduces cadence and masks dysfunction rather than addressing it; it also delays value delivery and feedback. Escalation to a functional manager (C) may become necessary, but escalation is more effective after the PM can clearly articulate impacts, evidence, and the suspected cause, and can propose specific support needed (e.g., delegate a proxy PO, set decision SLAs, adjust availability). Cancelling sessions and using email (D) typically reduces collaboration and increases misinterpretation, fueling more rework. Root cause analysis enables targeted corrective actions, restores effective product ownership, improves story quality, and reduces rework—directly supporting schedule predictability, stakeholder engagement, and value delivery.

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Daily output is naturally variable in agile work due to task complexity, collaboration needs, testing, and integration. The appropriate forum to address process misunderstandings and improve how work is planned, tracked, and communicated is the sprint retrospective (B). Retrospectives are designed for the team to inspect how they worked and adapt their practices, including how they interpret progress metrics (e.g., burn-down charts) and how they communicate flow versus “daily productivity.” Handling it in sprint planning (C) focuses on selecting work and defining goals; it is not the best venue for deeper process improvement and behavioral expectations. Discussing with the product owner (A) may be useful if stakeholder expectations are driving pressure, but the immediate need is to align the team and correct misconceptions internally. Going to the PMO manager (D) can create unnecessary escalation and may erode team self-management. Addressing it in the retrospective reinforces agile principles, improves shared understanding of progress measurement, and results in actionable adjustments (e.g., smaller stories, WIP limits, clearer DoD) to stabilize delivery predictability.

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In agile, accurate estimation of testing effort depends on a shared understanding of what “done” means. The Definition of Done (DoD) sets the minimum quality and completeness criteria for work to be considered finished—often including required testing types, code review, integration, documentation, and acceptance readiness. If the team cannot estimate testing, it frequently indicates inconsistent assumptions about required test depth, environments, automation expectations, or quality gates. Ensuring the DoD is understood first establishes a common baseline so the team can estimate consistently and make a realistic sprint commitment. Acceptance criteria (A) are important at the user story level, but they do not replace the DoD; a story can meet acceptance criteria yet still fail “done” standards if required tests or integrations are missing. Pair programming (B) may reduce defects but is not the first corrective action for estimation confusion. Adding a QA expert (D) can help, but without a shared DoD, expert input may still lead to mismatched expectations and unreliable commitments.

Stage gates exist to reassess continued investment based on current business value, not just delivery performance. If a business management report signals a negative impact on project success factors (e.g., reduced market demand, weakened ROI, regulatory shifts, strategic reprioritization), the project manager should proactively provide decision-quality analysis (C) for governance review. This includes updated benefits forecasts, sensitivity scenarios, impacts to business case assumptions, and options (continue, pivot, pause, or terminate). Continuing execution (A) treats the project as purely tactical and risks delivering a product that no longer produces intended value. Asking business development to revalidate inputs (B) can be part of the gate conversation, but the PM should not wait passively; the PM integrates information and prepares recommendations. Delaying the stage gate (D) undermines governance cadence and can waste resources; gates are precisely when changes in business context should be examined. Providing analysis supports informed sponsor decisions, aligns the project with strategy, and demonstrates stewardship of organizational investment—central PMP business environment objectives.

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A missing “latest version” of a project management plan indicates weak document control—specifically, inadequate versioning, storage, access control, and change tracking. Improving the configuration management process (A) is the correct preventive action because configuration management governs how project documents and deliverables are identified, versioned, approved, stored, and retrieved. A robust configuration management system ensures there is a single source of truth, audit trails for changes, controlled access, and clear ownership for updates. Registering an issue (B) addresses the symptom but does not prevent recurrence; it is reactive. Keeping lessons learned current (C) is valuable, but it does not directly solve document version control. Reviewing QA processes (D) may help indirectly, but configuration management is the specific discipline that prevents missing or conflicting versions of controlled documents. Strengthening configuration management protects governance, enables reliable change control, and reduces rework and confusion when updates must be made quickly.

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When vendors are behind and not communicating, the first step is to increase monitoring and obtain reliable status so the project manager can manage recovery. Daily check-ins (A) are an appropriate short-term control to improve visibility, remove blockers, confirm realistic commitments, and track progress against an agreed recovery plan. This aligns with procurement and stakeholder engagement objectives: establish clear communication cadence and accountability. Immediately extending the schedule (B) is premature and may be unnecessary if recovery actions can bring work back on track; it also weakens urgency. Replacing vendors (C) may not be feasible near a deadline due to onboarding time, contract constraints, and integration risk; it’s typically a later escalation if performance does not improve. Reducing pay (D) is contractual and legal territory; penalties must follow contract terms and are not the first response to a communication problem. Tightened governance and frequent coordination is the most practical first action to protect a near-term deadline.

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When stakeholders complain about insufficient or outdated information, the root issue is usually a mismatch between stakeholder information needs and the current communications approach. The project manager should review the communications management plan and stakeholder register (D) to confirm who needs what information, how often, in what format, and through which channels. The stakeholder register helps validate stakeholder expectations, influence, interest, and preferred communication methods, while the communications management plan defines cadence, responsibilities, distribution lists, escalation, and reporting artifacts. Adjusting these documents supports proactive stakeholder engagement and prevents recurring dissatisfaction. Monte Carlo simulation (A) is a quantitative risk tool for schedule/cost uncertainty and is irrelevant to communication gaps. Forcing stakeholders into meetings (B) may not address the issue and can be inefficient if the real need is better reporting or tailored dashboards. Checking functional manager responsibilities (C) shifts focus away from the PM’s accountability to manage communications. By updating communications planning to meet real needs, the PM improves transparency, trust, and decision-making—core objectives for stakeholder and communications management.

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When leading a team of executives, constraints often include limited availability, competing priorities, and a need for highly efficient decision-making. Repeated roadmap rejection suggests the planning approach is not aligned to executive realities or governance expectations. The project manager should adopt a framework that fits executive availability (D)—for example, concise decision workshops, timeboxed roadmap reviews, clear decision rights, and an agreed cadence—and then evaluate and communicate risks created by those constraints (e.g., delayed decisions, dependency risks, reduced feedback cycles). This reflects strong stakeholder engagement and adaptive leadership: design the delivery and governance approach around stakeholder capacity while maintaining transparency about trade-offs. Simply asserting the PM was “requested” (A) does not solve the planning problem. Scheduling deliverables solely on must-have dates (B) can ignore feasibility and dependency logic, increasing risk. Emphasizing governance policies (C) may be necessary, but it can become confrontational and still won’t resolve misalignment unless the approach is adapted to how executives can participate. Aligning the framework to stakeholder constraints and managing the resulting risks is the most practical path to progress.

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When stakeholders report poor coordination and limited progress visibility across dependent work streams, the project manager should address the system that governs information flow, coordination mechanisms, and reporting—not just hold a one-off meeting. Reviewing and updating the communications management plan (C) is the best action because it defines how progress is captured, how dependencies are managed and communicated, what forums exist (scrums-of-scrums, integration checkpoints, cross-stream planning), what reporting artifacts are used (dashboards, dependency boards, milestone charts), and the frequency/ownership of updates. A team status meeting (B) can be a short-term tactic, but it doesn’t fix the structural gap that created the visibility problem. Escalating to sponsor or steering committee (A, D) is unnecessary as a first response; escalation is appropriate only if the PM cannot implement the needed communications/coordination improvements or if decisions exceed authority. Updating the plan restores alignment on expectations, improves transparency, and provides repeatable governance for multi-stream coordination—directly supporting stakeholder engagement and predictable delivery.

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When a late concern arises after prototype approval and development has started, the project manager should acknowledge the stakeholder, assess the request through the agreed change/priority mechanism, and preserve commitments needed to finish the current delivery. Placing the requirement into the next deliverable cycle (D) is typically the most practical action because it respects the already-approved baseline (or sprint/release commitment) while still addressing stakeholder needs via backlog/release planning. Being firm dismissively (A) damages relationships and fails stakeholder management. Documenting and “engaging more often” (B) is generally good practice, but the immediate next action is deciding how to handle the request within the current project’s stage and commitments. Telling the stakeholder nothing can be done (C) undermines collaboration and ignores adaptive planning; even if it cannot be included now, it can be scheduled. Including it in a future cycle supports transparency, maintains delivery focus, and provides a structured path for evaluation (value, effort, impact) and prioritization—core PMP objectives around stakeholder engagement and integrated change control in an agile or hybrid setting.

When team members repeatedly ask what to do first, the work is not being clearly ordered by value and urgency. In agile and hybrid environments, prioritization is primarily the product owner’s responsibility, with the project manager facilitating alignment. Working with the product owner to ensure the product backlog is prioritized (A) provides a consistent, visible ordering of work so the team can pull the next highest-priority items without confusion. This supports flow, reduces wasted time in meetings, and improves delivery of business value. Reviewing the backlog daily in the coordination meeting (B) is inefficient and suggests the backlog is not being managed proactively; daily coordination should focus on progress and impediments, not repeated reprioritization. Encouraging team members to prioritize (C) blurs accountability and can create conflicting decisions; teams sequence tasks within the sprint, but they should not redefine product priorities. Relying on the project management plan (D) is too rigid for day-to-day prioritization of evolving work. A well-prioritized backlog enables autonomy, predictability, and productivity.

Effective collaboration starts with understanding stakeholders: who they are, what they need, how they influence outcomes, and how best to engage them—especially in a multinational environment with cultural, language, and time-zone differences. The first step is to analyze stakeholder interest and influence to build an engagement strategy (D). This analysis helps the project manager tailor collaboration methods (meeting cadence, decision forums, communication styles, tools) to stakeholder power, impact, and expectations, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach that can create meeting overload or exclusion. Reviewing the engagement plan with everyone (A) is useful after the plan is appropriately designed; doing it first risks sharing a plan that is not fit for purpose. Scheduling recurring meetings for all stakeholders (B) can be inefficient and may reduce engagement if people feel sessions are irrelevant. Requesting budget for in-person meetings (C) may be beneficial for key groups, but it is not the first move and may be unnecessary. Stakeholder analysis provides the foundation for purposeful, inclusive collaboration.

Large equipment purchases must follow the organization’s procurement and authorization controls. The project manager should align the purchasing approach to governance by agreeing on an approval and escalation method (A) that defines who can authorize what amounts, how exceptions are handled, and how long approvals typically take. This ensures compliance, avoids delays, and supports predictable planning for procurement lead times. Replacing equipment to bypass approvals (B) is poor governance and may compromise requirements, quality, or lifecycle cost—procurement decisions must be driven by business need and specifications, not approval avoidance. Requesting blanket approval authority for the PM (C) often conflicts with segregation-of-duties controls and is unlikely to be granted. Having the sponsor approve everything (D) can create bottlenecks and also may not match governance rules (finance/procurement committees may still be required). Establishing a clear approval/escalation path integrates procurement management with schedule and cost control, reduces risk of noncompliance, and supports effective stakeholder and vendor management.

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When a scarce, non-shareable resource is needed by two concurrent projects, the first step is to make an allocation decision based on organizational strategy and value. Assessing business benefits for both projects (B) aligns with portfolio/program thinking and ensures the SME is assigned where it produces the highest overall return, risk reduction, compliance necessity, or strategic impact. This reflects the PMP emphasis on business environment: projects exist to deliver value, and constrained resources must be prioritized accordingly. Evaluating budget and schedule impacts (C) is important, but it should follow the value decision—otherwise the organization may optimize locally (time/cost) while sacrificing strategic outcomes. Calculating SPI or CPI (A, D) is not appropriate because these indices measure performance against baselines during execution; they do not determine which project should receive a resource in a forward-looking prioritization decision. Starting with business benefits creates a defensible rationale for allocation, improves stakeholder buy-in, and supports governance decisions about trade-offs and opportunity cost.

When a project faces an unplanned cost need (hiring additional resources) and there is no approved additional budget, the project manager should first evaluate available reserves that are already authorized within the project’s overall funding structure. Management reserves (C) are typically controlled by management and may be used for unforeseen work that is within project scope but not covered by contingency reserves. The PM should initiate the process to access those reserves according to governance, enabling timely action to protect a mandatory deadline. Asking the sponsor for more funds (A) may ultimately be required, but it is not the first step if reserves exist and can be used within established authority paths. Introducing a change request (B) can be appropriate if the action changes baselines or exceeds thresholds; however, the immediate “first” funding source check is reserves. Updating baselines to accommodate delay (D) does not address the mandatory deadline and is not funding. Properly applying reserves supports schedule recovery while remaining aligned with formal cost control and escalation procedures.

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Once a risk event occurs, it becomes an issue and the team typically executes the agreed response. However, if the project manager determines the planned response is no longer optimal, changing the agreed approach must follow formal change control to maintain governance, authorization, and baseline integrity. Submitting a change request (D) is the correct step because it enables impact analysis (cost, schedule, scope, quality, risk), stakeholder review, and approval through the appropriate authority (e.g., CCB or sponsor thresholds). Simply adopting the old plan (C) may cause avoidable harm if conditions changed. Reevaluating “all issue responses” (A) is excessive and delays action; the focus should be on the current issue and the proposed alternative. Escalating and “registering” a new response (B) skips the structured approval mechanism and may violate governance or contractual commitments. Change control ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with organizational risk tolerance while allowing the project to adapt responsibly when new information indicates a better response.

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According to the PMI Guide to Business Analysis, emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, understand, and manage one’s own and others’ emotions. It is an essential skill for agile teams, as it helps to foster collaboration, trust, communication, and feedback. A project leader who invests in developing the team’s emotional intelligence can help to motivate the team members, resolve conflicts, and improve performance. Asking the unmotivated team member to take a short leave, reducing the number of meetings, or sending the team member to another team are not effective solutions, as they do not address the root cause of the problem or help the team member to improve their motivation and engagement. References:

PMI Guide to Business Analysis, pages 38-39, 2.4.3 Emotional Intelligence

PMI-PBA Sample Questions, question 10, answer A

Agile success depends heavily on collaboration, shared understanding, and constructive stakeholder participation. When a stakeholder disrupts progress due to unfamiliarity with agile, the project manager (or agile leader) should first address the behavior directly and provide feedback (D). This enables quick course correction through coaching: clarifying agile roles, explaining how iterations deliver value, setting expectations for participation, and establishing respectful working agreements. Early direct engagement often resolves misunderstandings and reduces future disruptions without escalation. Reporting the stakeholder for replacement (A) is premature and damages relationships; it also may be unrealistic if the stakeholder has legitimate authority. Logging the attitude as a risk and continuing (B) avoids the underlying people issue and can compound delays and conflict. Switching to predictive (C) contradicts the sponsor’s direction and does not solve the root cause—lack of agile understanding. Addressing the stakeholder early supports change management, strengthens trust, and improves team flow, while maintaining alignment with the organization’s agile transition objectives.

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According to the PMBOK® Guide, the project manager is responsible for managing the project scope and ensuring that the project delivers the agreed-upon features and functionality (Section 5.1). If a stakeholder tells the project manager that the main requested feature in the contract is not applicable, this means that there is a significant change in the project scope, which may affect the project cost, schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction. The project manager should not ignore this information, nor should they ask the sponsor to close the project or pay the penalty, as this may damage the relationship with the customer and the reputation of the organization. Instead, the project manager should check with the team to learn what can be done, and consult an expert if needed, to find out the impact of the scope change and the possible alternatives. The project manager should also communicate with the stakeholder and the sponsor to understand the reason for the scope change, and to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution. This is also consistent with the Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, which states that one of the tasks of a business analyst is to “assess the impact of a proposed change or solution on the business need, requirements, and stakeholder expectations” (Task 3.4). References:

PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition, Section 5.1

Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, Task 3.4

According to the PMP Exam Content Outline, one of the tasks of a project manager in the leading domain is to “Communicate roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships to team members and stakeholders in order to create a project team environment that fosters performance.” This implies that the project manager should reaffirm the required project obligations directly with the team member who failed to communicate the reason for their absence from three team meetings. The project manager should clarify the expectations and consequences of the team member’s behavior, and provide constructive feedback and coaching to help them improve their communication skills and accountability. The project manager should also document the issue and the actions taken to resolve it, and monitor the team member’s performance and attendance. Reaffirming the project obligations directly with the team member can help to prevent further misunderstandings, conflicts, or delays in the project, and enhance the team member’s engagement and commitment. References:

PMP Exam Content Outline

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), Sixth Edition, Chapter 9.4.2.1 and 9.4.3.2

Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, Chapter 4.4.1 and 4.4.2

How do project managers deal with unplanned leaves?1

How to deal with a team member who keeps missing deadlines?2

 The project manager should establish dialogue with stakeholders on the project constraints, assumptions, and critical inputs, as this is a key activity of the Identify Stakeholders process1. By engaging with the stakeholders, the project manager can understand their needs, expectations, interests, and influence levels, as well as identify any potential issues or risks that may affect the project. This will help the project manager to develop an appropriate stakeholder engagement plan and communication strategy, as well as to manage the stakeholder expectations and relationships throughout the project life cycle. Examining the plans, processes, policies, and knowledge that are specific to the organization undertaking the project (option A) is part of the Develop Project Charter process2, which is performed before the Identify Stakeholders process. This activity may help the project manager to understand the organizational context and environment, but it does not address the specific concerns of the external stakeholders. Convincing senior management to close the project since the project lacks sponsorship and is considered to be high risk (option C) is not a viable option, as it contradicts the project manager’s role and responsibility to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close the project. Moreover, it does not consider the potential benefits and value of the project, nor the possible ways to mitigate the risks and challenges. Hosting a project team meeting, then updating the risk register and the project management plan (option D) is an activity of the Monitor and Control Project Work process3, which is performed after the project has been planned and executed. This activity may help the project manager to track the project performance and implement corrective actions, but it does not address the specific concerns of the external stakeholders. References:

1: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2017, p. 513.

2: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2017, p. 77.

3: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2017, p. 95.

 According to the PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, one of the key processes of the Project Quality Management knowledge area is Manage Quality, which involves identifying and resolving quality problems. One of the tools and techniques for this process is problem solving, which consists of defining the problem, identifying the root cause, generating and selecting alternatives, and implementing solutions. By requesting that the team identifies, documents, and registers the issues, the project manager is following a systematic approach to problem solving, which will help to prevent recurrence of the same or similar problems, and improve the quality of the project deliverables. References: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, pages 286-287, 291.

According to the PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition, one of the agile practices that can be used in a predictive environment is incremental delivery. This means that the project delivers value to the customer or end user in small increments throughout the project life cycle, rather than waiting until the end of the project to deliver the final product. Incremental delivery allows the project to respond to changing requirements, reduce risks, and increase customer satisfaction. To support incremental delivery, the project manager should also perform frequent backlog refinement, which is the process of reviewing, prioritizing, and updating the list of features or requirements that the project team will work on. Backlog refinement helps the project manager and the team to align their work with the customer’s needs and expectations, and to adjust the scope and schedule accordingly. References:

PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition, page 29

Agile Practice Guide, page 13

In a fixed time and budget project, the project manager needs to balance the customer’s expectations and the project’s profitability. If the customer wants the development of a core component to be based on agile practices, the project manager should use a hybrid contract that combines both fixed and agile elements. This way, the project manager can accommodate the customer’s changing requirements while maintaining control over the project scope, schedule, and cost. A tiered contract for fixed and agile components allows the project manager to define the fixed deliverables and the agile deliverables separately, and assign different payment terms and conditions for each. For example, the fixed deliverables can be paid based on milestones, while the agile deliverables can be paid based on iterations or value delivered. This also helps the project manager to manage the risks and uncertainties associated with the agile component. Providing alternatives to scope change at specific project phases within the contract is another way to control the development costs and ensure the profitability of the project. The project manager can specify the criteria and process for requesting and approving scope changes, and offer different options for the customer to choose from, such as adding or removing features, adjusting the quality standards, or modifying the schedule or budget. This way, the project manager can negotiate with the customer and reach a mutually beneficial agreement that satisfies both parties’ needs and expectations. Limiting the number of iterations for development in the contract is not a good control, as it may compromise the quality and value of the agile component. Establishing a governance committee to review the contract delivery is not a specific control for the development of the core component, but a general practice for any project. Requiring that only internal resources be utilized for this project is not a relevant control, as it does not address the customer’s requirement or the project’s profitability. References: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, pages 704-705, 718-719.

 According to the PMBOK Guide, quantitative risk analysis is a process that numerically analyzes the effect of identified risks on overall project objectives. It is usually performed on risks that have been prioritized by the qualitative risk analysis process. Quantitative risk analysis requires specialized skills and tools, such as statistical analysis, simulation, and modeling. Therefore, not every project team member may have the knowledge or experience to perform this task. If the project manager encounters such a situation, the best option is to help the team member to perform the quantitative risk analysis through coaching, mentoring and training. This way, the project manager can ensure that the team member learns the necessary skills and techniques, and can contribute to the risk management process. This also aligns with the project manager’s responsibility to develop the project team and enhance their competencies. Option A is not the best answer because contacting the PMO and requesting another team member may cause delays and disruptions in the project schedule and team dynamics. Option B is not the best answer because escalating the issue to the functional manager may not solve the problem, and may create conflict between the project manager and the functional manager. Option D is not the best answer because performing the quantitative risk analysis for the team member may not be feasible or efficient, and may deprive the team member of the opportunity to learn and grow. References: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, pages 431-432, 440-441.

According to the PMBOK® Guide, when a project manager faces a change request that affects the project scope, schedule, cost, or quality, they should first evaluate the impact of the change and then follow the change control process. The change control process involves reviewing the change request, analyzing the options, obtaining approval, and updating the project management plan and other documents. One of the options that the project manager can consider is to negotiate with the team and other stakeholders to find a feasible solution that can accommodate the change request without compromising the project objectives. This option requires effective communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills from the project manager and the team. Asking the team to accelerate the iterations and avoid interruptions (option A) is not a realistic or sustainable strategy, as it may lead to burnout, quality issues, and scope creep. Verifying team performance and asking for improvement during daily standup meetings (option C) is not a direct or proactive way to address the change request, as it may imply that the team is not performing well or that the project manager is micromanaging them. Recommending that the project sponsor increases the budget to bring new resources (option D) is not a viable option, as it may not be approved or feasible, and it may also introduce new risks and challenges to the project. References: PMBOK® Guide, 6th edition, pages 112-113, 135-136, 161-162.

According to the PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, section 12.2.2.4, the project manager should use procurement documentation to define and manage the contractual relationships with the suppliers. Procurement documentation includes the contract, the statement of work, the procurement management plan, and the source selection criteria. The project manager should ensure that the project team, including the business analyst, is aware of the terms and conditions of the contract and the scope of work that the supplier is expected to deliver. Any changes or additions to the scope should be formally requested and approved through the change control process, as described in section 4.6. The PMI-PBA Guide, section 6.3.3.1, also supports this approach, as it states that the business analyst should follow the change management plan and the requirements management plan to manage changes to the requirements and to communicate them to the relevant stakeholders, including the suppliers. References:

PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, section 12.2.2.4 and 4.6

PMI-PBA Guide, section 6.3.3.1

According to the PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, section 12.2.2.4, the project manager should use procurement documentation to define and manage the contractual relationships with the suppliers. Procurement documentation includes the contract, the statement of work, the procurement management plan, and the source selection criteria. The project manager should ensure that the project team, including the business analyst, is aware of the terms and conditions of the contract and the scope of work that the supplier is expected to deliver. Any changes or additions to the scope should be formally requested and approved through the change control process, as described in section 4.6. The PMI-PBA Guide, section 6.3.3.1, also supports this approach, as it states that the business analyst should follow the change management plan and the requirements management plan to manage changes to the requirements and to communicate them to the relevant stakeholders, including the suppliers. References:

PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, section 12.2.2.4 and 4.6

PMI-PBA Guide, section 6.3.3.1

According to the PMBOK Guide, acceptance criteria are the standards by which the project deliverables are measured and verified to meet the stakeholder’s expectations and requirements1. They are defined during the project planning process and agreed upon by the project team and the client2. By highlighting how the acceptance criteria were met in the project closure report, the project manager can demonstrate that the project outputs have fulfilled the client’s business needs and have been formally accepted by them3. This can also help to resolve any doubts or disputes that the client may have about the quality or value of the project deliverables4. How the quality, scope, and stakeholders were managed are also important aspects of the project closure report, but they are not directly related to the stakeholder’s concern about the project outputs. The project manager should focus on showing how the project deliverables met the acceptance criteria, which are the basis for the stakeholder’s satisfaction and sign-off. References:

1: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 161

2: Project Management Acceptance Criteria with Examples, KnowledgeHut, page 1

3: A Guide to Project Closure: 12 Essential Things To Do, Rebel’s Guide to Project Management, page 2

4: Project Client Acceptance and Sign-Off Form, ProjectManagement.com, page 1

According to the PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, one of the key processes of the Project Integration Management knowledge area is Close Project or Phase, which involves finalizing all activities across all of the project management process groups to formally complete the project or phase. One of the tools and techniques for this process is benefits transition, which involves transferring the ownership of the project’s benefits to the assigned business owner or sponsor, who will be responsible for sustaining and enhancing the value of the project outcomes. By confirming ownership for ongoing value realization, the project manager can ensure that the project team members understand the benefits of the project features and how they will be measured and monitored after the project closure. References: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, pages 123-124, 129.

According to the PMBOK® Guide, the project manager is responsible for tailoring the project management processes and practices to suit the project context and environment. Therefore, the project manager should have assessed the organization’s culture, performed a suitability analysis, and determined the future state before adopting an agile methodology. This would have helped to identify the readiness, gaps, and risks of implementing agile in the organization, and to plan for the necessary changes and support. Conducting agile training for all employees may be a good practice, but it is not sufficient to avoid the implementation failure. Training alone does not guarantee the adoption or success of agile, as there may be other factors such as resistance, misalignment, or misunderstanding that hinder the agile transformation. Conducting a postmortem and capturing the learning in OPAs may be a useful activity, but it is not a preventive measure. It is a reactive action that occurs after the implementation failure, and it does not address the root causes or the solutions for the failure. Hired a third-party agile delivery team to do the implementation may not be the best option, as it may create dependency, communication, or integration issues. The project manager should have involved the internal project team and stakeholders in the agile implementation, and ensured that they have the skills, knowledge, and commitment to adopt agile. References: PMBOK® Guide, Sixth Edition, Chapter 1, Section 1.2.4 (Tailoring) and Chapter 3, Section 3.2 (Project Management Process Groups)

The project manager should implement a project management information system (PMIS) to avoid this situation in the future. A PMIS is a system that provides the tools and techniques to gather, integrate, and disseminate the outputs of project management processes. A PMIS can help the project manager and the team to manage the project documents, such as the requirements document, and ensure that they are updated, controlled, and shared in a timely and consistent manner. A PMIS can also facilitate collaboration and communication among the project team and other stakeholders, and reduce the risk of errors, conflicts, and rework. Encouraging better team communication by positioning team members closer together may not be enough, as it does not address the issue of document management and version control. Updating the communications management plan to ensure correct delivery of the latest version may not be effective, as it does not provide the tools and techniques to implement the plan. Restricting team members from sending the requirements documents via email may not be feasible or appropriate, as it may limit the flexibility and accessibility of the project information. References:

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Seventh Edition, Chapter 4: Integration, Section 4.4: Manage Project Knowledge, Section 4.5: Monitor and Control Project Work

Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Handbook, Section 2.3: Domains and Tasks, Domain 2: Planning, Task 6: Plan Business Analysis Information Management

Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, Domain 2: Planning, Task 6: Plan Business Analysis Information Management

According to the PMBOK guide, a hybrid approach is a combination of predictive and adaptive (agile) methodologies that suits the project context and stakeholder needs1. A retrospective is a meeting held at the end of each iteration in agile projects, where the team reflects on what went well and what can be improved2. The PMI-PBA guide also states that retrospectives are a valuable tool for business analysts to identify and address issues, risks, and opportunities for improvement3. Therefore, the best way for the project manager to deal with the decline in productivity is to discuss the issue in the next retrospective with the team and collaboratively find solutions to enhance their performance. References:

1: PMBOK guide, page 19

2: PMBOK guide, page 207

3: PMI-PBA guide, page 129

According to the PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition, one of the project management principles is to engage stakeholders actively and frequently. This means that the project manager should identify and analyze the needs, expectations, and interests of all stakeholders, and involve them appropriately throughout the project life cycle. The stakeholder register is a document that lists the key stakeholders, their roles, responsibilities, and level of influence on the project. The stakeholder engagement plan is a document that describes the strategies and actions to communicate with, manage, and influence the stakeholders.

In this scenario, the project manager has discovered that the local community was not included in the stakeholder register, which has caused them to oppose the project. This is a serious issue that can affect the project’s performance, reputation, and acceptance. Therefore, the project manager should not disregard these stakeholders, as this would violate the principle of stakeholder engagement and potentially escalate the conflict. The project manager should also not just explain to the community members why they were not included as stakeholders, as this would not address their concerns or expectations. The best option is to update the stakeholder register and revise the stakeholder engagement plan, as this would allow the project manager to acknowledge the community as a stakeholder, assess their impact and interest, and develop appropriate strategies and actions to engage them effectively and proactively. References:

PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition, page 9

Project Management Principles 9-12, Episode 479: Project Management Principles 9-12 (Free)

The project manager plays the role of a mediator in this situation, as this is part of managing stakeholder engagement. Managing stakeholder engagement involves communicating and working with stakeholders to meet their needs and expectations, address issues, and foster appropriate stakeholder involvement. By scheduling a meeting with the two stakeholders, the project manager acts as a neutral third party who facilitates the discussion and helps them reach a mutually acceptable solution. The other options are not the best ways to describe the project manager’s role, as they either imply a biased, authoritative, or passive approach to conflict resolution. References: (Professional in Business Analysis Reference Materials source and documents)

PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, Chapter 13, Section 13.3.2.4

PMP Exam Content Outline, June 2019, Domain II, Task 9

PMP Sample Test Questions, Question 393

According to the PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, one of the key skills of a project manager is to negotiate with stakeholders to achieve project objectives and balance the competing project constraints. Negotiation is also a tool and technique for the process of Manage Stakeholder Engagement, which aims to ensure that stakeholders’ needs and expectations are met or exceeded. By engaging in creative and iterative negotiations with the leaders of each entity, the project manager can foster collaboration, trust, and commitment among the parties involved in the project, and ensure that the launch date is acceptable and feasible for all. This will increase the likelihood of timely and successful adoption of the new solution by the entire organization. References: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, pages 53, 513-514, 518.

The project manager should recommend the product owner prioritize the missing work higher because it is needed for the initial launch of the new product. The product owner is responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog, which is a list of features and requirements that the customer wants to have in the product. The product owner should ensure that the product backlog reflects the customer’s needs and preferences, as well as the project’s scope and objectives. The project manager should collaborate with the product owner and provide guidance and support on the product backlog management. The project manager should also communicate with the agile team and facilitate their involvement and feedback on the product backlog. The project manager should advise the product owner to prioritize the missing work higher because it is essential for the minimum viable product (MVP), which is a version of the product that has enough features and functionality to satisfy the customer’s needs and expectations. The MVP is the main goal of the initial launch of the new product, as it allows the project team to deliver value to the customer early and often, and to obtain feedback and validation for the product. The project manager should explain to the product owner the importance and benefits of delivering the MVP, and the risks and consequences of delaying or omitting the missing work. The project manager should also help the product owner to balance the competing demands and trade-offs of the product backlog, and to align the product backlog with the project’s vision, goals, and strategy.

The other options are not the best actions for the project manager to take in this situation. Letting the project team pull the recommended work from the bottom of the backlog to maximize value creation may cause confusion and inconsistency in the product backlog, as well as conflict and distrust between the product owner and the agile team. The product owner is the sole authority for defining and prioritizing the product backlog, and the agile team should respect and follow the product owner’s decisions. The project manager should not undermine the product owner’s role or authority, but rather support and facilitate the collaboration and communication between the product owner and the agile team. Analyzing and reprioritizing the backlog and providing the decision to the product owner and team may also undermine the product owner’s role and authority, as well as violate the agile principles and values. The project manager should not impose their own decisions or opinions on the product backlog, but rather advise and assist the product owner in making informed and effective decisions. The project manager should also not act as a intermediary or a gatekeeper between the product owner and the agile team, but rather enable and encourage direct and frequent interaction and feedback among them. Empowering the product owner by supporting the decision and instructing the team to follow the prioritization as provided may ignore the agile team’s input and feedback, as well as jeopardize the project’s success and quality. The project manager should not blindly support the product owner’s decision or instruct the agile team to follow the prioritization as provided, especially if the decision or the prioritization is not aligned with the project’s scope and objectives, or the customer’s needs and expectations. The project manager should challenge and question the product owner’s decision or prioritization if it is not based on valid and relevant criteria or data, or if it does not deliver the maximum value to the customer and the project. The project manager should also listen and consider the agile team’s input and feedback, as they have the technical expertise and experience to perform the work and to deliver the product. References:

PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition, Appendix X3, Section X3.2.2.4, “Prioritized Product Backlog”

PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition, Appendix X3, Section X3.2.2.6, “Minimum Viable Product”

PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 13, Section 13.2.2.1, “Stakeholder Engagement Plan”

PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide: 2021 Exam Update, 10th Edition, Chapter 12, Section 12.2, “Agile Project Management” 1

Velocity is a measure of the amount of work a team can complete in a given iteration. It is calculated by dividing the total number of story points completed by the team by the duration of the iteration. Velocity can vary from iteration to iteration due to various factors such as team size, complexity of work, technical issues, etc. Therefore, it is not advisable to use a single iteration’s velocity as a baseline for future planning. Instead, the project manager should ask the product owner to look at a minimum of four to eight iterations and use the average or median velocity as a more reliable indicator of the team’s performance. This way, the product owner can replan the velocity for the next iteration based on the team’s current performance and adjust the scope and schedule accordingly. This is consistent with the agile principle of responding to change over following a plan and the PMI-PBA practice of planning and monitoring the business analysis approach. References:

PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 18, section 1.2.3.2

Agile Practice Guide, page 36, section 3.3.2

PMI-PBA Exam Content Outline, page 9, task 1.1

PMI-PBA Certification Exam Prep Guide, page 63, section 3.2.1

According to the PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 141, the project manager should engage with stakeholders throughout the project life cycle to ensure that their needs and expectations are met. When there are changes in the stakeholder environment, such as new or replaced stakeholders, the project manager should identify them and assess their impact on the project. The project manager should also review and prioritize the new requirements with the stakeholders and analyze how they affect the project scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk. The project manager should then follow the change control process to submit, evaluate, approve, and implement the change requests that are needed to accommodate the new requirements. This approach ensures that the project manager maintains effective communication, collaboration, and alignment with the stakeholders, and delivers a product, service, or result that meets their needs and expectations.

The other options are not the best choices because they do not address the new requirements in a proactive and collaborative manner. Option B is not the best choice because it implies that the project manager is trying to avoid the new requirements and resist the change, which could create conflict and dissatisfaction among the stakeholders. Option C is not the best choice because it implies that the project manager is accepting all the new requirements without analyzing their impact and feasibility, which could lead to scope creep, unrealistic expectations, and poor quality. Option D is not the best choice because it implies that the project manager is imposing a rigid and inflexible approach to the project, which could alienate the new stakeholders and jeopardize their support and engagement.

The project manager should use Monitor Communications techniques to ensure that the communication needs of the project and its stakeholders are met. This involves collecting and analyzing feedback from stakeholders, reviewing the effectiveness and quality of the communication activities, and identifying and resolving communication issues. By doing so, the project manager may discover the reasons why some stakeholders are not fully comprehending the status of the project based on the reports that are being circulated, and may initiate changes to the communications management plan to address them. For example, the project manager may decide to use a different report format, frequency, or distribution method that suits the needs and preferences of the new stakeholders. Adding the issue to the issue log and determining the corrective action (option A) is a possible outcome of Monitor Communications, but not the best answer. Creating a fishbone diagram to determine the root cause for the misunderstanding (option B) is a tool that can be used in Monitor Communications, but not the only one. Sharing the communications management plan and reminding all stakeholders of the agreed-upon reporting templates (option D) is not likely to solve the problem, as it may imply that the new stakeholders are at fault for not understanding the reports, rather than acknowledging that the communication needs may have changed. References:

PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 386-387, section 10.2 Manage Communications

PMP Exam Prep, 10th edition, page 415, question 415, answer and explanation

According to the PMBOK Guide, the project management plan is a formal, approved document that defines how the project is executed, monitored, and controlled1. It integrates and consolidates all of the subsidiary plans and baselines from the project management processes1. One of the subsidiary plans is the procurement management plan, which describes how the project will acquire goods and services from outside the performing organization2. The procurement management plan should include the procurement strategy, the types of contracts, the procurement documents, the source selection criteria, the roles and responsibilities, the make-or-buy decisions, and the assumptions and constraints2. Therefore, the project manager should have communicated the project management plan, including the procurement management plan, to the procurement division earlier in the project to ensure the purchase of the specific equipment. The other options are not the best actions for the project manager to have done earlier in the project. Communicating the project charter to the procurement division may not be sufficient, as the project charter only provides the high-level description of the project and its boundaries, not the details of the procurement activities3. Including a procurement division member on the project team may not be necessary or feasible, as the project team may have limited authority or influence over the procurement division’s policies and procedures. Reminding the project sponsor about the procurement division’s reputation is not a constructive or professional way to deal with the issue, as it may create conflict or resentment between the parties. References:

1: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 89

2: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 463

3: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 77

PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 33

PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 558

 The project manager should validate if the training request is within the scope and budget of the project before approving or rejecting it. The training request may be a valid requirement that was not identified during the planning process, or it may be a nice-to-have that is not necessary for the project success. The project manager should evaluate the benefits and costs of the training request and compare them with the project baseline. If the training request is within the scope and budget, the project manager can approve it. If the training request is outside the scope and budget, the project manager should send it to the change control board (CCB) for approval. The CCB is responsible for reviewing and approving change requests that affect the project baseline. Rejecting the request without validation may result in missing a critical requirement or losing a valuable team member. Approving the request without validation may result in scope creep or budget overrun. References:

PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 4, Section 4.5.6, “Change Requests”

PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Section 5.6.3.1, “Requirements Documentation Updates”

PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 7, Section 7.4.3.1, “Cost Forecasts”

PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 9, Section 9.3.3.1, “Resource Requirements Updates”

 A risk register is a tool to identify, document, monitor and resolve project risks. It is an essential part of the risk management process and should involve the participation of relevant stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement is a process of identifying, understanding and involving people who have a stake in the outcome of the project. Effective stakeholder engagement requires ongoing communication, consultation, and collaboration. Therefore, the best option for the project manager is to run the meeting with the available stakeholders and then follow up with each one of the absent stakeholders to get their input. This way, the project manager can ensure that the risk register is comprehensive, accurate and reflects the views and concerns of all stakeholders. Canceling the meeting and creating the risk register using the project documents (option A) is not a good option because it does not involve the stakeholders and may miss some important risks or perspectives. Continuing the meeting and sending the updated risk register to all stakeholders (option B) is also not a good option because it does not allow the absent stakeholders to provide their input or feedback on the risk register. Escalating the issue of stakeholders not attending the meeting to the project sponsor (option D) is not a good option either because it does not address the root cause of the problem and may create unnecessary conflict or resentment among the stakeholders. References:

1: Risk Register: A Project Manager’s Guide with Examples [2023] • Asana

2: 10 Principles Of Stakeholder Engagement | APM

3: What is Stakeholder Engagement, and Why is it Important for Strategic Planning?

 According to the PMBOK® Guide, the project manager is responsible for closing the project or phase, which includes verifying that all the project deliverables are completed and accepted, updating the project records and documents, releasing the project resources, and communicating the project closure to the stakeholders. Performing administrative closure of the project ensures that the project is formally completed and closed, and that the project budget is finalized and closed as well. This will prevent any confusion or issues with the accounting manager or other parties in the future. Conveying task completion information to accounting may be part of the project closure process, but it is not sufficient to close the project budget. The project manager should also update the project status, financial records, and lessons learned. Closing the procurement process properly is necessary for projects that involve contracts or agreements with external vendors or suppliers, but it is not the only aspect of closing the project. The project manager should also close the internal aspects of the project, such as deliverables, resources, and stakeholder satisfaction. Completing the transition process is relevant for projects that produce products, services, or results that need to be transferred to the operations or maintenance teams, but it is not the only activity for closing the project. The project manager should also ensure that the project objectives are met, the project scope is verified, and the project performance is evaluated. References: PMBOK® Guide, Sixth Edition, Chapter 4, Section 4.7 (Close Project or Phase) and Appendix X3, Table X3-1 (Project Closure Checklist)

According to the PMBOK Guide, the project manager should use a collaborative or problem-solving approach to handle conflicts, as it results in a win-win situation and enhances the project performance1. The project manager should also communicate with the team members and involve them in the decision-making process, as it fosters trust and commitment2. Therefore, the best option is to meet the team member and try to plan a course of action together. Option A is incorrect because guiding the team member on how to resolve the conflict may not address the root cause of the conflict or the impact on the project schedule. Option B is incorrect because analyzing the project schedule and looking for alternatives may not consider the team member’s perspective or input. Option C is incorrect because performing crashing and/or fast tracking of the schedule may not resolve the conflict or may introduce new risks or issues to the project. References: 1: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, section 9.5.2.1, p. 363 2: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, section 9.4.2.3, p. 356