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PECB ISO 21502 Foundation study materials
PECB ISO 21502 Foundation study resources

PECB ISO 21502 Foundation practice questions

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Question 1Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

In ISO 21502, a project is defined primarily as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. Which characteristic distinguishes a project from routine operational work?

  1. It has a defined start and end point with a unique outcome Correct answer.
  2. It is governed solely by the organisation's financial accounting rules
  3. It repeats the same process indefinitely to maintain service levels
  4. It is performed by a permanent functional unit with stable staffing

Explanation

A project is temporary, meaning it has a defined beginning and end, and it delivers a unique output. Ongoing operations, by contrast, are continuing and repetitive activities that sustain the organisation. This temporariness and uniqueness are the core distinguishing features in ISO 21502.

Question 2Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A programme is best described in ISO 21502 terms as which of the following?

  1. A group of related projects and other work coordinated to obtain benefits not available from managing them individually Correct answer.
  2. A documented set of procedures for controlling change requests
  3. A temporary organisation created only to deliver one unique deliverable
  4. A single large project managed by one sponsor

Explanation

A programme coordinates related projects and other activities so that combined benefits exceed those achievable by managing each project separately. The benefit-driven coordination is the defining feature. A single project, however large, is not a programme.

Question 3Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which statement best captures the concept of a project management office within the ISO 21502 framework?

  1. It is a temporary team created to execute the technical work of one project
  2. It replaces the project manager's accountability for delivering the project
  3. It is an organisational structure that provides project-related services, support and governance Correct answer.
  4. It is a mandatory body in every organisation that runs projects

Explanation

A project management office is an organisational entity that supplies services such as methods, templates, reporting and assurance to projects, and may support governance. Its scope varies by organisation and it does not absorb the project manager's accountability.

Question 4Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Within ISO 21502, what is the primary role of the project sponsor?

  1. To manage the daily schedule and cost tracking tasks
  2. To perform the detailed technical work packages of the project
  3. To provide direction, decision-making and support at the senior level and to own the business case Correct answer.
  4. To audit the project independently of the governance structure

Explanation

The sponsor provides senior-level direction and support, makes key decisions and typically owns the business case that justifies the project. This accountability sits above the day-to-day delivery work. Independent audit and daily scheduling are separate roles.

Question 5Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager identifies interested parties who can affect or be affected by the project. Which ISO 21502 concept does this activity illustrate?

  1. Quality assurance
  2. Benefit realisation management
  3. Stakeholder engagement Correct answer.
  4. Configuration management

Explanation

Identifying, analysing and engaging interested parties is stakeholder engagement. It recognises that people and groups can influence or be influenced by the project. The other concepts address benefits, product integrity and quality conformance respectively.

Question 6Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which of the following best describes a project's business case in ISO 21502?

  1. A list of the technical specifications of deliverables
  2. A justification for the project that documents expected benefits, costs, risks and rationale Correct answer.
  3. A schedule baseline approved by the project team
  4. A record of every change request raised during delivery

Explanation

The business case justifies the investment by setting out the rationale, expected benefits, costs and risks, and it is reviewed so the project can be stopped if it is no longer viable. It is a decision document rather than a change log, schedule or specification.

Question 7Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

ISO 21502 emphasises that project management should be tailored. What does tailoring mean in this context?

  1. Applying every process in the standard to every project without exception
  2. Removing the need for any documented project plan
  3. Delegating all governance decisions to the project team
  4. Adapting the application of principles and practices to the project's context, size, risk and complexity Correct answer.

Explanation

Tailoring means adapting how principles and practices are applied so they fit the project's environment, scale, complexity and risk. It does not mean ignoring the standard or abandoning planning. It is a deliberate, reasoned adjustment.

Question 8Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which statement reflects the principle that project management is based on a systemic view of the organisation?

  1. Projects should ignore dependencies on other projects to protect their own schedule
  2. Projects should be planned only after all organisational operations have ceased
  3. Projects interact with the wider organisation and should be aligned with its strategy and other work Correct answer.
  4. Projects should be managed in isolation from organisational strategy and other activities

Explanation

A systemic view recognises that projects are part of a wider organisational system and must align with strategy, governance and other projects. Ignoring dependencies or isolating the project undermines this principle. Alignment and awareness of interdependencies are essential.

Question 9Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is determining who has authority to approve a scope change that exceeds the project manager's delegated limit. Which concept is being applied?

  1. Benefit mapping
  2. Lessons learned capture
  3. Resource levelling
  4. Governance and decision-making authority Correct answer.

Explanation

Governance establishes who is authorised to make which decisions and at what level. Escalating a change beyond delegated limits is a governance matter. Benefit mapping, resource levelling and lessons learned do not define approval authority.

Question 10Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

During a review, a project manager notes that a deliverable meets its documented acceptance criteria. Which project management concept does this most directly relate to?

  1. Portfolio prioritisation
  2. Quality management and acceptance of deliverables Correct answer.
  3. Stakeholder analysis
  4. Procurement strategy

Explanation

Confirming that a deliverable meets documented acceptance criteria is a quality management activity and supports formal acceptance. It verifies conformance to requirements. Stakeholder analysis, procurement strategy and portfolio prioritisation address different concerns.

Question 11Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager records that a key supplier may fail to deliver a component on time and notes the potential effect on the schedule. Which concept is being practised?

  1. Issue resolution
  2. Risk management Correct answer.
  3. Configuration control
  4. Benefits tracking

Explanation

Identifying an uncertain event and its potential effect on objectives is risk management. Risks are uncertain future events, whereas issues are problems that have already occurred. Configuration control and benefits tracking address different concerns.

Question 12Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Why does ISO 21502 treat lessons learned as an ongoing activity rather than something done only at project closure?

  1. Because lessons learned replace the need for project reviews
  2. Because closure reports must list every meeting held
  3. Because lessons only become relevant after the project has ended
  4. Because capturing and applying learning throughout the project allows corrective action and continuous improvement Correct answer.

Explanation

Ongoing capture of lessons lets the team adjust approach and improve performance while work continues, and feeds organisational knowledge. Limiting it to closure loses the opportunity to act on insights. Lessons complement, rather than replace, reviews.

Question 13Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager establishes a single reference point for approved project documentation and controls changes to it. Which concept is being applied?

  1. Stakeholder engagement
  2. Configuration management Correct answer.
  3. Team development
  4. Benefit realisation

Explanation

Configuration management establishes and controls the integrity of products and documents, including baselines and change control. It ensures the correct version is identified and used. The other concepts address people and benefits, not document integrity.

Question 14Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which statement best reflects the relationship between project management and organisational strategy in ISO 21502?

  1. Projects should be initiated whenever a department has spare capacity
  2. Projects should be initiated only when they support strategic objectives and expected benefits Correct answer.
  3. Projects should be independent of any strategic direction
  4. Projects should be initiated only to satisfy external auditors

Explanation

Projects are vehicles for delivering strategic objectives and benefits, so initiation should be justified by that alignment. Spare capacity or audit pressure alone is not a strategic rationale. Alignment ensures resources are directed to worthwhile work.

Question 15Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project team is distributed across several countries with different time zones and cultural norms. Which consideration does ISO 21502 highlight for such a context?

  1. Cultural differences are irrelevant if the technical work is standardised
  2. Cultural differences and communication needs should be addressed when planning how the team works together Correct answer.
  3. Distributed teams should avoid documenting decisions to save time
  4. Time zone differences remove the need for agreed communication protocols

Explanation

ISO 21502 recognises that organisational, cultural and geographic context affects how a project is managed, including communication and teamworking arrangements. Agreed protocols and documentation become more important, not less, for distributed teams. Cultural awareness supports effective collaboration.

Question 16Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which of the following is the best example of a project deliverable rather than an outcome?

  1. Reduced waiting times for customers
  2. A trained and competent workforce using the new system
  3. A completed and accepted online booking system Correct answer.
  4. Increased customer satisfaction scores

Explanation

A deliverable is a tangible output produced by the project, such as a completed and accepted system. Outcomes are the resulting changes or benefits, such as trained staff, higher satisfaction or shorter waiting times. Distinguishing outputs from outcomes underpins benefit realisation.

Question 17Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is defining the boundaries of what the project will and will not deliver. Which concept is being addressed?

  1. Project cash flow
  2. Project team competency
  3. Project scope Correct answer.
  4. Project risk appetite

Explanation

Scope defines the boundaries of the project's deliverables and work, including what is excluded. Clearly stated exclusions help prevent misunderstanding. Risk appetite, cash flow and competency address different aspects of the project.

Question 18Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which statement best explains why ISO 21502 separates project management from general management?

  1. Project management applies specialised approaches to temporary, unique endeavours, while general management typically addresses ongoing operations Correct answer.
  2. General management is only concerned with financial reporting
  3. Project management requires no planning because projects are temporary
  4. Project management excludes any involvement of senior managers

Explanation

Project management applies specialised practices suited to temporary, unique endeavours, whereas general management typically focuses on continuing operations. The two overlap but differ in focus. Senior managers remain involved through governance and sponsorship.

Question 19Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager decides to hold shorter, more frequent progress reviews on a small, low-risk project and more formal stage reviews on a large, high-risk project. Which principle does this best demonstrate?

  1. Tailoring governance and control to the project's context Correct answer.
  2. Applying identical controls to every project regardless of size
  3. Delegating all control to the project team
  4. Eliminating reviews on low-risk projects

Explanation

Tailoring means adjusting the form and intensity of governance and control to match factors such as size and risk. Proportionate control is a central idea in ISO 21502. Applying identical controls everywhere or abandoning reviews would contradict this principle.

Question 20Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

An organisation wants to compare candidate projects and decide which to fund based on strategic contribution and risk. Which concept does this describe?

  1. Portfolio management Correct answer.
  2. Stakeholder engagement
  3. Quality assurance
  4. Configuration management

Explanation

Portfolio management selects, prioritises and balances projects and programmes to achieve strategic objectives. It operates above individual projects and programmes. Configuration management, quality assurance and stakeholder engagement operate at different levels.

Question 21Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A sponsor learns that a project's expected benefits are no longer achievable but the team has already completed half of the deliverables. What does ISO 21502 suggest should happen?

  1. Review the business case and consider terminating or re-scoping the project Correct answer.
  2. Transfer all remaining work to the project management office
  3. Continue to completion because work already performed must always be finished
  4. Hide the information from governance to protect the project's reputation

Explanation

The business case is reviewed throughout the project, and if benefits are no longer achievable the project should be reconsidered, including possible termination or re-scoping. Sunk cost should not drive continuation. Transparency with governance is essential.

Question 22Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which pairing of project lifecycle concepts is most consistent with ISO 21502?

  1. A project phase and a lifecycle are interchangeable terms with no distinction
  2. A project phase is the entire life of the project, while a lifecycle is a single activity
  3. A project phase is a permanent organisational unit, while a lifecycle is a temporary team
  4. A project phase is a collection of logically related activities ending in a milestone or deliverable, while a lifecycle is the sequence of phases from start to finish Correct answer.

Explanation

A phase groups logically related activities and typically concludes with a milestone or deliverable, while the lifecycle describes the overall sequence of phases from initiation to closure. The two concepts are related but distinct. Treating them as identical obscures this structure.

Question 23Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is deciding how much documentation and formal reporting is appropriate. Which approach aligns with ISO 21502 principles?

  1. Produce no documentation so the team can focus on delivery
  2. Produce documentation only when an auditor requests it
  3. Produce documentation proportionate to the project's complexity, risk and stakeholder needs Correct answer.
  4. Produce the maximum possible documentation on every project to be safe

Explanation

Documentation should be proportionate to factors such as complexity, risk and stakeholder needs, reflecting the tailoring principle. Excessive documentation wastes effort, while none removes necessary records. Reacting only to auditors is not a planned approach.

Question 24Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager notices that a team member's decision conflicts with the agreed governance arrangements. What is the most appropriate response consistent with ISO 21502?

  1. Escalate every future decision regardless of its size
  2. Realign the decision with the agreed authority and escalation arrangements Correct answer.
  3. Ignore the conflict because team decisions are outside governance
  4. Remove the governance arrangements to avoid future conflict

Explanation

Governance defines decision rights and escalation paths, so a conflicting decision should be realigned through those arrangements. Ignoring the conflict or dismantling governance undermines accountability. Escalating everything indiscriminately defeats the purpose of delegated authority.

Question 25Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which statement best explains the concept of benefit realisation in ISO 21502?

  1. Benefits are guaranteed once deliverables are produced
  2. Benefits are the measurable improvements resulting from the project's outputs and are actively managed Correct answer.
  3. Benefits are identical to the project's schedule milestones
  4. Benefits are recorded only in the closure report

Explanation

Benefits are measurable improvements that arise from using project outputs, and their realisation is actively managed, often beyond project closure. Producing deliverables does not automatically guarantee benefits. Benefits are distinct from milestones and are not confined to closure reporting.

Question 26Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

In ISO 21502, which characteristic distinguishes a project from routine operational work?

  1. It is repeated on a fixed cycle indefinitely
  2. It is temporary and undertaken to achieve defined objectives Correct answer.
  3. It is managed only within a single department
  4. It always requires external contractors to deliver

Explanation

A project is a temporary endeavour, with a defined start and end, created to achieve specified objectives, often producing a unique output. Ongoing operations are continuous and repetitive, so they are governed by operational management rather than project management.

Question 27Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which term in ISO 21502 refers to the person or group that provides resources and senior-level support for a project and is accountable for its success?

  1. Project team member
  2. Project management office
  3. Interested party
  4. Project sponsor Correct answer.

Explanation

The sponsor is the individual or body that authorises the project, supplies resources and champions it at senior level, and is accountable for enabling its success. Team members perform the work, while the PMO supports governance and the interested parties include anyone affected by the project.

Question 28Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

What does the term 'governance' refer to in the context of project management under ISO 21502?

  1. The framework of direction, decision rights and oversight applied to the project Correct answer.
  2. The schedule of team-building activities for the project
  3. The technical method used to estimate activity durations
  4. The process of selecting the project management software

Explanation

Project governance covers the structures, authorities, decision-making and oversight arrangements within which the project is directed and controlled. It answers who decides, who is accountable and how performance is monitored, rather than how specific technical tasks are performed.

Question 29Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is asked to describe the project's intended end result in terms of the value it should create for the organisation. Which concept is being addressed?

  1. Benefits Correct answer.
  2. Constraints
  3. Assumptions
  4. Deliverables

Explanation

Benefits are the measurable value or positive effects that a project's outputs are expected to create for the organisation and its interested parties. Deliverables are the tangible outputs themselves, whereas benefits describe the value derived from them.

Question 30Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which statement best describes a project lifecycle in ISO 21502?

  1. A series of phases through which a project passes from initiation to closure Correct answer.
  2. A list of the individual tasks assigned to each team member
  3. A record of every change request raised during the project
  4. A catalogue of the organisation's standard operating procedures

Explanation

The lifecycle is the sequence of phases, such as initiation, planning, delivery and closure, that a project moves through over its duration. It provides a high-level structure for managing the project, distinct from detailed task lists or change records.

Question 31Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

What is the primary purpose of a project's scope in ISO 21502 terms?

  1. To define the boundaries of what the project will deliver and what it will exclude Correct answer.
  2. To document the lessons learned so far
  3. To record the actual costs incurred to date
  4. To list the names of all interested parties

Explanation

Scope establishes the boundaries of the project's work and outputs, making clear what is included and what is excluded. This boundary definition supports planning, change control and acceptance, and is separate from cost records or stakeholder registers.

Question 32Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which of the following best describes a project risk in ISO 21502?

  1. An uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, could affect project objectives Correct answer.
  2. A mandatory legal requirement the project must meet
  3. A confirmed defect in a delivered product
  4. A change request approved by the sponsor

Explanation

Risk concerns uncertainty: an event or condition that may occur and, if it does, could positively or negatively affect objectives. A defect is a realised problem, a change request is a controlled modification, and a legal requirement is a constraint or obligation rather than an uncertain event.

Question 33Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

In ISO 21502, what is meant by an 'issue' as distinct from a risk?

  1. A potential future event that may or may not happen
  2. A formal approval to proceed to the next phase
  3. A planned activity in the schedule baseline
  4. A problem or event that has already occurred and requires management action Correct answer.

Explanation

An issue is a current, realised problem or event that needs resolution, whereas a risk is a future uncertainty that may or may not materialise. Treating issues as risks confuses actual problems with uncertain possibilities.

Question 34Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is preparing the document that describes how the project will be executed, monitored and controlled, including the chosen methods and processes. Which artefact is being produced?

  1. The project management plan Correct answer.
  2. The benefits register
  3. The business case
  4. The stakeholder register

Explanation

The project management plan integrates how the project will be delivered, monitored and controlled, including tailored processes and methods. The business case justifies the investment, while registers hold specific data such as benefits or interested parties.

Question 35Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

An organisation wants its project managers to apply the same governance structures but different delivery methods depending on project type. Which statement about ISO 21502 guidance is most accurate?

  1. ISO 21502 mandates a single prescribed methodology for every project
  2. ISO 21502 requires identical documentation for all projects
  3. ISO 21502 prohibits the use of agile approaches on any project
  4. ISO 21502 provides principles and practices that organisations adapt to their context Correct answer.

Explanation

ISO 21502 offers high-level guidance on principles and practices that organisations tailor to their size, sector and project characteristics. It does not prescribe one methodology, nor does it require uniform documentation or exclude particular delivery approaches.

Question 36Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project sponsor wants assurance that decisions are made at the right level. Which element of governance most directly addresses this?

  1. A detailed activity-level schedule
  2. Clearly defined decision rights and delegated authority Correct answer.
  3. A list of team holidays
  4. A procurement catalogue

Explanation

Governance clarifies who is authorised to make which decisions and at what level, including delegated thresholds. Schedules, holiday lists and procurement catalogues are operational data that do not establish decision authority.

Question 37Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager wants to make sure that interested parties who can influence the project's outcome are engaged appropriately. Which concept is being applied?

  1. Interested party engagement Correct answer.
  2. Cost control
  3. Quality assurance
  4. Configuration management

Explanation

Interested party engagement involves identifying those affected by or able to affect the project and planning how to communicate with and involve them. Configuration management, quality assurance and cost control address different performance areas.

Question 38Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is deciding how to break the project's work into manageable components for planning and control. Which practice is being applied?

  1. Benefits mapping
  2. Change control
  3. Risk response planning
  4. Work breakdown structuring Correct answer.

Explanation

Work breakdown structuring decomposes the project's scope into smaller, manageable components that support estimating, assigning responsibility and controlling progress. Risk response, benefits mapping and change control address different management concerns.

Question 39Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

During a project, a team member proposes a modification to an approved deliverable specification. What is the appropriate management response?

  1. Process the proposal through the agreed change control procedure Correct answer.
  2. Reject all changes because the baseline is fixed
  3. Record the proposal as a lesson learned and take no further action
  4. Implement the change immediately to avoid delay

Explanation

Changes to approved baselines should follow the established change control procedure, which assesses impact, obtains authorisation and updates records accordingly. Immediate implementation bypasses authority, blanket rejection ignores legitimate needs, and mere recording does not manage the change.

Question 40Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is establishing how performance will be measured and reported to the sponsor at agreed intervals. Which practice does this represent?

  1. Configuration identification
  2. Team acquisition
  3. Procurement planning
  4. Monitoring and control Correct answer.

Explanation

Monitoring and control involves tracking progress against plans, comparing performance with baselines and reporting to governance bodies at agreed intervals. Procurement, team acquisition and configuration identification address different activities.

Question 41Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Which statement best describes the relationship between a project's outputs and its outcomes in ISO 21502?

  1. Outputs and outcomes are identical terms used interchangeably
  2. Outcomes are produced during delivery, while outputs appear only after closure
  3. Outputs are the products or services produced, while outcomes are the resulting changes or effects Correct answer.
  4. Outputs refer only to financial results, while outcomes refer only to schedule results

Explanation

Outputs are the tangible products, services or results the project creates, whereas outcomes are the changes or effects that result from using those outputs. The distinction matters because benefits typically arise from outcomes, not from outputs alone.

Question 42Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is defining the roles, responsibilities and reporting lines for the project team and the sponsor. Which area of project management does this primarily address?

  1. Quality control
  2. Contract negotiation
  3. Organisation and roles Correct answer.
  4. Financial accounting

Explanation

Defining roles, responsibilities and reporting relationships establishes the project's organisation and clarifies accountability. Quality control, accounting and contract negotiation are separate specialisms that do not define the project's organisational structure.

Question 43Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project has a fixed regulatory deadline that cannot be moved. In ISO 21502 terms, how should this be treated?

  1. As a constraint that shapes planning and trade-off decisions Correct answer.
  2. As a risk that can be accepted without analysis
  3. As an assumption that can be revised if inconvenient
  4. As a benefit to be realised at closure

Explanation

A fixed, non-negotiable factor such as a regulatory deadline is a constraint that limits options and drives trade-offs among scope, schedule and resources. It is not a revisable assumption, an unanalysed risk, or a benefit.

Question 44Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is deciding which quality activities to plan so that deliverables meet agreed requirements. Which distinction does ISO 21502 draw between quality planning and quality control?

  1. Quality planning sets requirements and how to meet them; quality control verifies results against those requirements Correct answer.
  2. Quality planning and quality control are both performed only at closure
  3. Quality planning applies only to suppliers; quality control applies only to the team
  4. Quality planning verifies results; quality control sets the requirements

Explanation

Quality planning defines the quality requirements and the means to satisfy them, while quality control checks that outputs conform to those requirements. The two are complementary and both occur throughout the project, not only at closure.

Question 45Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager is identifying the knowledge, skills and experience the team will need and comparing these with what is currently available. Which practice is being performed?

  1. Configuration auditing
  2. Risk appetite definition
  3. Competence and capability assessment Correct answer.
  4. Cost baseline development

Explanation

Assessing required versus available knowledge, skills and experience is a competence and capability review that informs resource planning and development actions. Cost baselines, risk appetite and configuration audits address different concerns.

Question 46Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

An organisation wants a consistent way to capture, evaluate and decide on new ideas and requests that arise during a project. Which mechanism should it establish?

  1. A policy of deferring all decisions to project closure
  2. A rule that only the project manager may ever raise ideas
  3. An open mailbox where anyone can implement changes directly
  4. A controlled change and decision process with defined entry points Correct answer.

Explanation

A controlled change and decision process gives ideas and requests a defined route for evaluation, impact assessment and authorisation. Direct implementation bypasses control, deferral risks late disruption, and restricting who may raise ideas does not provide a decision mechanism.

Question 47Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

Two projects in the same programme both need the same specialist resource at the same time. Which level of management is best placed to resolve this conflict, and why?

  1. Programme or portfolio level, because it can balance competing demands across projects Correct answer.
  2. The project team, because team members decide their own assignments
  3. The finance department, because the conflict is financial
  4. The individual project manager, because each project is fully independent

Explanation

When projects compete for shared resources, resolution is best handled at the programme or portfolio level, which has visibility across projects and authority to prioritise. Individual project managers typically lack authority over other projects' demands, and the conflict is one of capacity rather than finance alone.

Question 48Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project's sponsor and project manager disagree about who should approve a change that affects the agreed benefits. What is the most appropriate basis for resolving this?

  1. The documented governance arrangements defining authority and accountability Correct answer.
  2. The personal preference of the project manager
  3. The number of team members who support the change
  4. The shortest option in terms of schedule impact

Explanation

Authority and accountability should be resolved by reference to the documented governance arrangements, which define who may approve changes of a given significance. Personal preference, schedule convenience and popularity are not legitimate bases for allocating decision rights.

Question 49Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project manager notices that the project's approved plans no longer reflect reality after several uncontrolled modifications. Which principle has most clearly been breached?

  1. Maximising the number of deliverables produced
  2. Minimising the number of interested parties involved
  3. Ensuring that all team members are co-located
  4. Maintaining baselines under change control so plans remain valid references Correct answer.

Explanation

Approved plans serve as baselines and remain valid references only if changes to them pass through change control. Uncontrolled modification erodes the baseline's integrity, making performance comparison and accountability unreliable. Co-location, output volume and stakeholder numbers are unrelated to baseline integrity.

Question 50Fundamental principles and concepts of project management

A project is delivering its outputs on time, but the organisation later finds that the intended benefits are not being realised. Which explanation is most consistent with ISO 21502 concepts?

  1. Delivering outputs on time guarantees that benefits will be realised
  2. Benefits are the same as deliverables and require no further action
  3. Benefit realisation depends on the use of outputs and often extends beyond the project's lifecycle Correct answer.
  4. Benefits are realised automatically once the project closes

Explanation

Benefits arise from the use of project outputs in the receiving organisation and may only appear after the project has closed, so benefit realisation is typically a longer-term organisational responsibility. On-time delivery of outputs is necessary but not sufficient, and benefits are distinct from deliverables.