PMBOK Scope and WBS Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project manager is creating a WBS and cannot determine how to decompose a future deliverable because requirements are unclear. What is the best approach?
- Delete the deliverable from the WBS entirely
- Use a planning package to represent that portion of scope (Correct answer)
- Estimate the deliverable at the highest level and proceed
- Request the sponsor to reduce project scope
Correct answer: Use a planning package to represent that portion of scope
A planning package is a WBS component below a control account with known scope but without detailed schedule activities, used when detail is not yet available.
Question 2: Which document formally authorizes a project and provides the project manager with authority to apply resources?
- Project scope statement
- Project charter (Correct answer)
- Scope management plan
- Requirements management plan
Correct answer: Project charter
The project charter formally authorizes the project and grants the project manager authority to use organizational resources.
Question 3: During scope validation, a key stakeholder rejects a deliverable because it does not match their mental model, even though it meets documented requirements. What should the project manager do first?
- Escalate to the project sponsor immediately
- Rework the deliverable to match the stakeholder's preference
- Review the requirements documentation with the stakeholder (Correct answer)
- Issue a change request to update the deliverable
Correct answer: Review the requirements documentation with the stakeholder
The first step is to review the documented requirements with the stakeholder to determine whether a gap exists between documentation and expectation.
Question 4: In a WBS dictionary, which of the following entries is MOST important for preventing scope creep?
- Responsible organization
- Acceptance criteria (Correct answer)
- Cost estimate
- Schedule milestone
Correct answer: Acceptance criteria
Acceptance criteria clearly define what constitutes successful completion of a work package, making it the most critical entry for preventing scope creep.
Question 5: A project scope statement has been approved. A team member identifies additional work that was inadvertently omitted. How should this be handled?
- Add the work informally to maintain schedule
- Ignore it if the budget is already fully allocated
- Submit a change request through integrated change control (Correct answer)
- Update the WBS without stakeholder notification
Correct answer: Submit a change request through integrated change control
Any additions to approved scope must go through integrated change control via a formal change request.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of decomposing project scope into smaller components in a WBS?
- To assign responsibility to individual team members
- To create a more manageable structure for planning and control (Correct answer)
- To eliminate risk by breaking work into smaller tasks
- To satisfy audit requirements for project documentation
Correct answer: To create a more manageable structure for planning and control
Decomposition creates a hierarchical structure that makes planning, executing, and controlling project work more manageable.
Question 7: Which technique is used during requirements collection to allow stakeholders to anonymously provide and refine estimates or opinions over multiple rounds?
- Brainstorming
- Nominal group technique
- Delphi technique (Correct answer)
- Mind mapping
Correct answer: Delphi technique
The Delphi technique uses anonymous rounds of questionnaires with summarized feedback to build consensus while reducing group bias.
PMBOK Scope and WBS Development 2
A project manager is creating a WBS and cannot determine how to decompose a future deliverable because requirements are unclear.
What is the best approach?