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Exam PMP topic 1 question 90 discussion

Actual exam question from PMI's PMP
Question #: 90
Topic #: 1
[All PMP Questions]

A project manager has begun a complex oil refinery project. Although the project is in the initiation phase, the sponsor keeps asking for concrete dates for the most important project milestones.
When will the project manager be able to provide the requested information?

  • A. During the planning phase, when processes for scope definition and activity duration and sequencing will be performed
  • B. Close to the end of the project, as the forecasts will be more accurate and most risks will already be mitigated
  • C. In the initiation process, as it happens concurrently with the project contract and project charter creation
  • D. As soon as possible, as project delays can be significantly avoided when a schedule is developed early
Show Suggested Answer Hide Answer
Suggested Answer: B 🗳️

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AP2023S
Highly Voted 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Selected Answer: A
I understand that the more the project progresses, the more clear ideas you have about the times and therefore about the milestones, but answer B doesn't make sense because when you are close to the closure of the project you have a clear view of the LAST milestones left. Milestones, on the other hand, can be distributed throughout the duration of the process. Imagine a 7-month project: the sponsor cannot be told that he has to wait 6 months to have concrete dates on the milestones of the first 5 months that have just ended! The answer is A
upvoted 13 times
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OxyMedix
Most Recent 1 week, 6 days ago
Selected Answer: B
I would agree with answer B. Although it may sounds like it does not make sense to wait till towards the end of the project to provide the stakeholder/sponsor with an answer to their question. But the key word here is CONCRETE date The project manager can only provide a TENTATIVE but not a CONCRETE date for a particular milestone achievement at the project planning phase as several factors can impede the project along the execution phase thus changing the initially proposed date
upvoted 1 times
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segatarasov
2 months, 1 week ago
B cannot be a correct answer. In the early stages of a project, it is typical for a PM to not have specific dates for key project milestones. This is because the initial phase is focused on establishing the project scope, goals, and outcomes. During the planning phase, the PM can determine more precise dates for the milestones. During this phase, the project manager collaborates with the project team to create a detailed project schedule that lays out the timeline for each milestone and task. This schedule considers factors like resource availability, task dependencies, and potential risks. As a result, the project manager can present the sponsor with definitive dates for the major project milestones once the planning phase is started/complete and the project schedule is finalized.
upvoted 2 times
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Winnersys
3 months ago
B is the correct, correct. In project management, particularly in Agile methodologies, it's often challenging to accurately predict milestone dates at the beginning of a project. This is because various factors such as uncertainties, risks, dependencies, and scope changes can impact the project timeline. Only towards the end of the project, when most of the issues and risks have been addressed, and the team has a clearer understanding of the work remaining, can milestone dates be more accurately determined. At this point, the team has a better grasp of their velocity and capacity, allowing for more precise forecasting of completion dates. Throughout the project lifecycle, it's essential to regularly reassess and adjust plans based on evolving circumstances to ensure alignment with project goals and stakeholder expectations. Therefore, while milestone dates may not be precisely known at the outset, continuous monitoring and adaptation can help improve predictability and ultimately lead to successful project delivery.
upvoted 1 times
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Davard
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Selected Answer: A
Best answer.
upvoted 1 times
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Mashikoane
3 months, 4 weeks ago
I would have went with A or C. Surprised the answer is B.
upvoted 1 times
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Bruce_Liu
4 months, 2 weeks ago
Selected Answer: A
Clearly A, ChatGPC also chooses A.
upvoted 1 times
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Tracyyy123
6 months, 3 weeks ago
Selected Answer: A
A correct
upvoted 1 times
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Nemona1979
7 months, 1 week ago
I do not agree that the right answer is B, should be A.
upvoted 1 times
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sambeth
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Selected Answer: A
A. During the planning phase, when processes for scope definition and activity duration and sequencing will be performed. The project manager will be able to provide concrete dates for important project milestones during the planning phase. In the initiation phase, the project is still in the early stages of development, and specific details regarding scope, sequencing of activities, and resource allocation are yet to be determined. It's during the planning phase that the project manager and the project team work on defining the project scope, breaking it down into activities, and estimating the durations for those activities. This information is used to create a project schedule, which includes milestone dates. Here's why B is not correct: B. Close to the end of the project: Waiting until close to the end of the project to provide milestone dates would be highly impractical and risky. It doesn't align with effective project management, where planning and scheduling are done early to guide the project's execution.
upvoted 2 times
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Remmy12
8 months, 1 week ago
B CLOSE TO THE OF THE Project
upvoted 1 times
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Keldon_Phan
8 months, 2 weeks ago
Selected Answer: A
Concrete dates for project milestones can be most accurately provided during the planning phase of a project. This phase is where a project's scope, activities, and sequence are closely defined and examined. All these factors then contribute to laying out a timeline that offers concrete dates for each key event.
upvoted 1 times
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Asakthi
9 months ago
A it should be in planning phase
upvoted 1 times
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bug_bloke
9 months, 1 week ago
Selected Answer: A
The answer should be A. During the planning phase, when processes for scope definition and activity duration and sequencing will be performed. The project manager will be able to provide concrete dates for the most important project milestones during the planning phase of the project. During this phase, the project team will perform processes for scope definition, activity duration estimation, and activity sequencing. This detailed planning will allow the project manager to create a schedule with specific dates for key milestones and activities. The planning phase is essential for developing a well-structured project schedule and setting realistic timelines for the project's successful execution.
upvoted 1 times
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smartrammy
10 months ago
Selected Answer: A
A. During the planning phase, when processes for scope definition and activity duration and sequencing will be performed
upvoted 2 times
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AbbasTaki
11 months, 2 weeks ago
Selected Answer: A
The project manager will be able to provide concrete dates for the most important project milestones during the planning phase.
upvoted 3 times
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victory108
11 months, 3 weeks ago
Selected Answer: A
A. During the planning phase, when processes for scope definition and activity duration and sequencing will be performed
upvoted 3 times
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Community vote distribution
A (35%)
C (25%)
B (20%)
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