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Are you preparing for the PMP exam and worried about the most challenging questions? This video breaks down the 10 hardest types of PMP exam questions, explaining what makes them tricky and how to tackle them with confidence, and goes over a sample question together. At the end of the video, we also cover general tips for tackling any hard questions on the PMP exam.
In This Video:
- Situational questions: Critical thinking in real-world scenarios
- What to Do First/Next questions: Logical sequencing and prioritization
- Stakeholder and communication management: Managing expectations and conflicts
- Risk management: Identifying, analyzing, and responding to risks
- Change management: Navigating change control processes
- Leadership style and team management: Resolving team dynamics and conflicts
- Hybrid and Agile questions: Balancing flexibility and predictive approaches
- Earned Value Management: Interpreting key metrics and formulas
- PMI ethics questions: Upholding professional standards
- Integrated project management: Balancing interdependencies and trade-offs
- General tips for tackling hard PMP questions
Resources for PMP Exam Success:
10 Types of Hard PMP Exam Questions (more Practice Questions): https://pmaspirant.com/hard-pmp-questions
PMP Exam Content Outline (with Practice Questions): https://pmaspirant.com/pmp-exam-content-outline
9 PMP Mindset Essential for Exam Success: https://pmaspirant.com/pmp-mindsets
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are you preparing for the PM exam and want to get ready for the difficult questions in today's video we're
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breaking down 10 of the hardest types of PMP questions you'll learn what makes them challenging strategies to answer
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them effectively and we'll walk through examples for each stick around and by the end of this video you'll feel more
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confident in tackling even the toughest PMP questions let's get started number one
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situational questions situational questions evaluate your ability to apply project management
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principles to real world scenarios these questions typically present a problem or challenge that
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requires you to choose the best course of action based on pmi's guidelines they are designed to test
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your critical thinking problem solving and decision-making skills in Dynamic and often ambiguous
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contexts why it's tough these questions are challenging because they are rarely
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straightforward the scenarios often involve comp in priorities incomplete information and complex Project Dynamics
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you must analyze the situation carefully understand the broader context and prioritize actions that provide the most
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value to the project Additionally the questions often include multiple good sounding options requiring you to
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differentiate between what's good and what's best based on pmi's process-driven approach the ambiguity
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and complexity of these questions can make them difficult to navigate especially under time constraints here are a few tips for
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answering the question when tackling situational questions on the PMP exam
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take a moment to immerse yourself in the scenario think about what's happening Who's involved and what's at stake be
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sure to consider the project context whether you're addressing a risk a stakeholder concern or a deliverable
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issue PMI wants you to think like a project manager who balances competing priorities engages stakeholders
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effectively and makes decisions based on best practices as you review the options think about
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what aligns with pmi's principles typically you'll want to one prioritize
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collaboration and stakeholder engagement over unilateral decision-making two avoid knee-jerk
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reactions that bypass analysis or documentation three focus on proactive
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actions like assessing risks or impacts rather than reactive ones that only solve part of the problem let's look at
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a scenario question together you you are managing a project to develop a new mobile application for a retail company
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during user acceptance testing several critical bugs are discovered that will require at least 2 weeks to fix the
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project sponsor is pressing for the release to stay on schedule citing the high impact of missing the market window
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what is the best course of action a prioritize fixing the critical bugs reschedule the release date and inform
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stakeholders of the delay and the reasons behind it B release the application on time as requested by the
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sponsor and plan A patch update after release to address the critical bugs C conduct a risk analysis of the
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impact of releasing the application with known bugs discuss the risks with the sponsor and key stakeholders and agree
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on the next steps D meet with the development team to assess whether the bugs can be fixed while keeping the
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release on schedule by allocating more resources you can pause the video here if you need more time all right let's
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walk through this together the best answer is C conducting a risk analysis
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is the best approach because it ensures you fully evaluate the implications of releasing the application with critical
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bugs this method allows you to involve key stakeholders in an informed discussion helping you balance the
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Project's priorities risks and stakeholder expectations before deciding on the next steps let's look at other choices and
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why they are wrong option a while rescheduling and fixing the bugs is responsible it bypasses critical
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stakeholder input this Choice also skips the important step of risk analysis which could reveal a more nuanced
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solution option b releasing the app without fully understanding the impact of the bugs could harm the product's
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reputation and user satisfaction this option lacks the necessary risk evaluation and engagement with
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stakeholders option D assessing whether the bugs can be fixed on schedule is a practical step but doing so without
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first conducting a risk analysis may lead to incomplete information and misaligned priorities it's important to
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evaluate the risks first and involve stakeholders into determining the path forward okay let's move on if you are
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ready number two what to do first next questions these questions test your
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ability to sequence project management activities logically and effectively these scenarios require you to determine
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the most appropriate immediate action in a given situation based on the Project's context and pmi's best practices they
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are designed to evaluate your understanding of project process flows problem solving skills and ability to
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prioritize asks why it's tough these questions are
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challenging because they often present several seemingly valid options and distinguishing the best action requires
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a deep understanding of pmi's process-oriented approach it can be difficult to identify what needs to
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happen immediately versus what can wait particularly when faced with competing priorities or overlapping processes
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Additionally the scenarios often introduce multiple layers of complexity such as stakeholder expectations risk
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management and resource constraints requiring you to think holistically and prioritize
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effectively here are a few tips for answering the question to answer these questions effectively first analyze the
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scenario to determine the project phase or process group it pertains to such as initiating planning executing monitoring
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and controlling or closing this helps narrow down the options to actions that align with the
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current stage of the project focus on identifying the primary issue in the scenario and its potential impact on the
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Project's objectives then select the response that resolves the immediate concern while maintaining alignment with
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the overall project plan avoid choosing actions that skip essential steps such
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as analysis or stakeholder engagement even if they seem efficient prioritize proactive measures that address the root
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cause of the issue involve key stakeholders as necessary and ensure project control always aim for responses
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that reflect PMI systematic and logical approach to problem solving let's look at the question together
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you are managing a construction project and during an inspection your team discovers that a key structural
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component has not been installed according to the original design specifications this could cause safety
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issues and result in Project delays what should you do next a immediately halt
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construction and bring the issue to the attention of the project sponsor B conduct an impact analysis to understand
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how this deviation will affect the project schedule budget and safety then determine the necessary corrective
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actions C notify the client about the deviation and the potential safety risks before proceeding with any other actions
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D arrange a meeting with the construction team to determine why the specifications were not followed and
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discussed corrective actions you can pause the video here if you need more time all right let's break this down the
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best answer here is B the first thing you should do is an impact analysis this will help you fully understand the
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Ripple effects of this issue on on your schedule budget and most importantly safety only after you have a clear
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picture should you start discussing Solutions with your team or notifying the client let's look at other choices
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and why they are wrong option a halting construction might be necessary if safety is at risk but you'll want to
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confirm that through the impact analysis first to avoid unnecessary delays option C informing the client too
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early without knowing the full impact or a plan of action could cause unne Neary
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concern you want to have your facts straight before involving them option D meeting with the construction team to
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figure out why this happened is important but you want to do it after you understand the broader impact the
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impact analysis should always come first to guide the next steps okay let's move on if you are
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ready number three stakeholder and communication management questions these questions assess your
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ability to engage stakeholders effectively and ensure clear timely communication throughout the project
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these scenarios test how well you identify stakeholder needs manage expectations and resolve conflicts while
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ensuring project objectives remain on track they also evaluate your understanding of communication
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strategies tailored to different audiences and project contexts why it's tough these questions
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are challenging because they often present conflicting stakeholder priorities or unclear communication
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needs requiring you to interpret the situation carefully the difficulty lies in
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balancing stakeholders satisfaction with project constraints especially when different stakeholders have competing
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demands or a limited understanding of the Project's scope and goals Additionally the scenarios frequently
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involve subtle interpersonal Dynamics or cultural considerations that make choosing the best response less
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straightforward here are a few tips for answering the question to answer these questions effectively start by analyzing
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the stakeholder landscape identify key stakeholders and their levels of influence interest and engagement in the
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project focus on the root cause of the issue presented in the scenario whether it's a lack of information unmet
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expectations or conflicting priorities and consider how your response aligns with pmi's best practices for
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stakeholder in communication management choose actions that promote transparency collaboration and Trust for instance
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engaging stakeholders through tailored communication strategies or involving them in key decisions can often resolve
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tensions and build alignment avoid solutions that ignore stakeholder concerns delay communication or fail to
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address the underlying issue additionally consider the medium and frequency of communication ensuring your
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response Fosters Clarity in alignment by emphasizing clear communication thoughtful engagement and a proactive
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approach to stakeholder needs you can effectively navigate these nuanced scenarios and demonstrate strong
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stakeholder management skills let's look at a stakeholder question together you are managing a
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project with multiple stakeholders including external suppliers and internal teams from different departments a key stakeholder has
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complained that they are not receiving the project updates they need to make decisions in a timely manner you reviewed your communication management
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plan and found that their updates have been sent regularly what is the best approach to resolve this issue a send
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the stakeholders more detailed project updates and increase the frequency of communication to ensure they feel more
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informed B meet with the stakeholder to discuss their specific communication needs and adjust the communication
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management plan to better suit their preferen C reconfirm the communication management
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plan with all stakeholders and clarify the schedule and content of updates to avoid future
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misunderstandings D conduct a survey of all stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of current Communications
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and identify areas for improvement before you pause the video if you are enjoying this content and find it
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helpful please like this video and consider subscribing to our Channel your support goes a long way all right let's
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think through this one the best answer is B the first thing you want to do is
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sit down with the stakeholder and have a conversation by asking them directly about their specific communication needs
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you'll get a better understanding of what's missing from their perspective then you can tweak your communication
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plan to keep them in the loop in a way that works for them let's look at other choices and why they are wrong option A
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sending more detailed and frequent updates might help but it could overwhelm the stakeholders if that's not
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the root of the problem always best to ask what they want first option C
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reconfirming the communication plan with all stakeholders can help clarify expectations but it's not as personal or
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specific as meeting with the individual who has the concern it's a good General approach but might not fully resolve the
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issue for that particular stakeholder option D a stakeholder survey could provide some insights but
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it's a broad approach right now you're dealing with a specific complaint from one stakeholder so focusing on that
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conversation first is a better use of time okay let's move on if you are ready
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number four riskmanagement questions these questions evaluate your
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ability to identify analyze and respond to risks throughout the Project Life Cycle the questions test your knowledge
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of proactive risk management practices including assessing risk probability and impact developing response strategies
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and integrating risk management into the broader project plan you may need to address existing risks emerging risks or
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overall risk planning in Dynamic project scenarios why it's tough these questions are
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challenging because they require you to analyze complex risk scenarios prioritize effectively and apply the
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appropriate response strategies you must think proactively balancing the Project's objectives constraints and
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stakeholder expectations scenarios often involve multiple risks or shifting project conditions requiring strategic
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thinking and a deep understanding of pmi's riskmanagement processes here are a few tips for
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answering the question to answer effectively identify the key risks in the scenario and assess their
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probability impact and urgency focus on solutions that address the root cause of the risk while aligning with project
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objectives and stakeholder needs choose responses that demonstrate proactive systematic risk management such as
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updating the risk register implementing a predefined response or communicating adjustments to the plan avoid reactive
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fixes or decisions that ignore long-term implications let's look at a risk management question question together
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during a large construction project a major supplier notifies you that they may not be able to deliver materials on
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time due to unforeseen production issues this risk was identified in your risk register and classified as a high
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probability high impact risk you already have a contingency plan in place for this risk what should you do next a
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activate the contingency plan immediately and notify stakeholders about the potential delay B monitor the
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supplier situation closely and wait to see if the materials can be delivered on time before activating the contingency
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plan C review the contingency plan to ensure it still aligns with the current project situation and determine if
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adjustments are needed D escalate the issue to the project sponsor to ensure that they are aware of the supplier's
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challenges and seek their advice you can pause the video here if you need more time all right let's walk through this
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the best answer is a since you've already planned for this exact situation the best thing to do is activate your
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contingency plan right away you don't want to wait around and risk further delays once you've set the plan in
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motion you can inform your stakeholders about the potential delay and what steps you're taking to handle it this keeps
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things moving smoothly let's look at other choices and why they are not the best answer option
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b monitoring the situation might feel like a cautious approach but if you wait too long you could end up causing more
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delays it's better to be proactive and start implementing the solution option C reviewing the
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contingency plan isn't a bad idea but since you already developed the plan specifically for this high impact risk
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it's better to act quickly you can always fine-tune the plan if necessary but don't let that slow down your
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response option D escalating to the project sponsor should be reserved for situations where you don't have a plan
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in place or when things are beyond your control here you've already prepared for this risk so there's no need to escalate
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right away okay let's move on to the next one if you are ready number five
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change management questions these questions assess your ability to handle changes to the project
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scope schedule cost or other baselines in a structured and controlled manner these scenarios test your understanding
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of PMI Change Control process including evaluating change requests analyzing
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their impact engaging stakeholders and updating the project plan and documentation
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accordingly why it's tough change management questions are challenging because they require you to apply both
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strategic and procedural thinking you must evaluate the potential impact of a change across multiple project areas
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such as scope schedule cost and risk while navigating competing stakeholder priorities the scenarios often involve
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balancing the urgency of a requested change with a need for thorough analysis and adherence to formal change control
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processes additionally these questions test your ability to make decisions that align with PMI best practices even when
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faced with pressure to act quickly here are a few tips for answering the question to answer these questions
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effectively first evaluate the nature and scope of the proposed change identify its potential impacts on the
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Project's baselines and assess whether it aligns with the Project's objectives and constraints always consider the role
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of the Change Control Board or other governance bodies in reviewing and approving significant changes focus on responses that
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demonstrate a structured approach such as conducting an impact analysis engaging stakeholders and documenting
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changes in the project management plan avoid skipping key steps in the process
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such as analyzing impacts or seeking stakeholder input even if a quicker resolution seems appealing additionally
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prioritize solutions that maintain transparency and Foster stakeholder alignment let's look at a change
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management question together you are managing a project to upgrade the it infrastructure for a multinational
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company a key stakeholder has requested a change to include additional security features not originally in scope the
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impact analysis has been complet completed showing that the change will require additional funding and extend
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the timeline by 2 weeks the Change Control Board is scheduled to meet in 3 days however the stakeholder is pressing
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for an immediate decision citing the urgency of potential security vulnerabilities what should you do next
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a approve the change on your own to address the security risks immediately and notify the Change Control Board at
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their scheduled meeting B inform the stakeholder that the decision will be made during the Change Control board
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meeting and ensure they understand the importance of adhering to the formal process C escalate the stakeholders
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concerns to the project sponsor to gain immediate approval for the change ahead of the Change Control board meeting DW
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work with the stakeholder to identify interm measures to mitigate the security risks until the Change Control Board
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reviews and decides on the change request you can pause the video here if you need more time all right let's break
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this down the best answer is D the best course of action is to work with the
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stakeholders to identify interim measures to address the security risks until the Change Control board meeting
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this ensures that urgent concerns are addressed without bypassing the formal change management process maintaining
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project governance and stakeholder trust let's look at other choices and why they are not the best answer option A
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approving the change independently undermines the authority of the Change Control Board and bypasses the EST
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established process which could lead to governance issues and set a bad precedent for handling future
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changes option b while waiting for the Change Control board meeting adheres to the formal process it ignores the
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urgency of the security risks failing to address the stakeholders concerns promptly could damage relationships and
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potentially expose the project to vulnerabilities option C escalating the issue to the sponsor for immediate
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approval bypasses the Change Control Board and may create unnecessary tension among stakeholders especially if the
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sponsor's decision conflicts with the Change Control board's eventual review okay let's move on to the next
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one if you are ready number six leadership style and Team Management
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questions these questions are designed to test how effectively you can guide and support a team to achieve project
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objectives these questions often involve scenarios where you need to address Team Dynamics resolve conflicts motivate
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individuals or choose the right leadership style for a given situation the focuses on how you manage
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interpersonal challenges while keeping the project on track why it's tough
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these questions can be tricky because they deal with ambiguity there's rarely one right answer you'll need to analyze
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the scenario identify the key issues and select an approach that balances competing priorities like addressing
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team morale while meeting tight deadlines leadership requires adaptability so you'll need to consider
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factors like team maturity urgency and individual personalities additionally
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these questions test your emotional intelligence your ability to recognize and address Team Dynamics while
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maintaining trust and Alignment here are a few tips for answering the question
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take a moment to fully understand the scenario and pinpoint the team's immediate needs ask yourself does the
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team require clear Direction collaboration or individual support once you've identified the problem align your
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approach with the appropriate leadership style choose answers that balance team needs with project goals PMI favors
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Solutions that address challenges constructively maintain trust and keep the project on track avoid rigid or
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punitive actions and prioritize open communication the best responses often involve engaging the team seeking input
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and maintaining a positive environment while focusing on long-term success let's look at a team management
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question together you are leading a diverse project team that has experienced recent conflicts over task
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assignments some team members feel that they are being given too much responsibility While others are diss
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satisfied with the lack of challenging tasks morale is starting to drop as a
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project manager how should you address this situation A use a Democratic Leadership
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style and hate hold a team meeting to allow members to voice their concerns and collectively decide on how tasks
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should be assigned B apply a coaching leadership style meet with each team member individually to understand their
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preferences and strengths and reassign tasks accordingly C take an authoritative
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leadership approach and reassign tasks based on your assessment of each team member's skills and the Project's needs
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de Implement a Lay's Fair leadership style to allow the team to self-organize and redistribute tasks among themselves
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you can pause the video here if you need more time all right let's break this down the best answer is b a coaching
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leadership style is the way to go here by meeting with each team member one-on-one you can get a deeper
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understanding of their strengths preferences and frustrations this lets you reassign tasks in a way that plays to their
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individual strengths and keeps everyone motivated it's a thoughtful personalized approach that Fosters trust in morale
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let's look at other choices and why they are not the best answer option a holding a team meeting and letting everyone have
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their say is helpful but it might not get to the root of the issue a democratic approach can open up dialogue
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but it may not fully resolve the underlying concerns especially if individual strengths and weaknesses
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aren't addressed option C being authoritative in reassigning tasks on your own could
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solve the immediate issue but it risks lowering morale even further if the team feels like their concerns aren't being
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heard it's a more top-down approach which might not work well in this situation option D L says Fair
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leadership where you let the team sort it out themselves could lead to even more conflict and confusion it's better
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to step in and provide guidance rather than leaving the team defend for themselves okay let's move on if if you
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are ready number seven hybrid and agile project management questions these questions assess your
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understanding of agile principles practices and their integration with traditional project management Frameworks the questions often test your
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ability to manage Dynamic environments where itera approaches like scrum or can ban coexist with predictive waterfall
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processes you'll encounter scenarios that require balancing flexibility stakeholder collaboration and value
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delivery while adhering to project constraints like budgets schedules or regulatory
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requirements why it's tough these questions are challenging because they require a deep understanding of both
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agile and predictive methodologies and the ability to integrate them seamlessly scenarios often involve competing
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priorities such as maintaining a fixed timeline while incorporating iterative feedback you must balance the need for
24:52
flexibility with adherence to project constraints all while keeping stakeholders aligned the added complex
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of Hybrid models means you need to think critically about how agile and predictive elements interact and influence one another here are a few
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tips for answering the question when answering these questions start by identifying the key challenge
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in the scenario whether it's a scheduling conflict a stakeholder concern or balancing iterative delivery
25:18
with predictive requirements focus on responses that align with agile principles like delivering value early
25:25
and involving stakeholders while respecting fixed constru straints from the predictive side avoid solutions that
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overly favor one methodology at the expense of the other as hybrid approaches require thoughtful
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integration choose actions that demonstrate collaboration proactive communication and adaptability for
25:43
example responses that involve engaging stakeholders refining processes or prioritizing value delivery while
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maintaining alignment with constraints are typically best avoid rigid responses that dismiss either agile's flexibility
25:56
or the control of predictive methods a balanced systemwide approach that reflects the benefits of both
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methodologies will help you excel in these scenarios let's look at a hybrid agile question together you are managing a
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hybrid project that uses agile for development and a predictive approach for deployment mids Sprint a stakeholder
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urgently requests a new feature emphasizing its importance for meeting Market demands the project sponsor has
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emphasized that the timeline cannot be extended due to contractual obligations the development team is concerned that
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the change will disrup up their Sprint goals how should you proceed a add the
26:32
feature to the Sprint backlog and work with the development team to rep prioritized tasks ensuring the most
26:38
critical deliverables are completed on time B defer the requested feature to the next Sprint informing the
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stakeholder that changes cannot be introduced mid-print and offering to address their concerns during Sprint
26:51
planning see facilitated discussion between the stakeholder the development team and the sponsor to assess what
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whether the feature can be handled as a separate expedite deliverable outside the current Sprint D approve the feature
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request and instruct the development team to adjust their Sprint goals to accommodate the change ensuring the
27:11
timeline is not impacted you can pause the video here if you need more time all
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right let's walk through this the best answer is C facilitating a discussion between the stakeholder development team
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and sponsor is the best approach this collaborative effort allows for exploring whether the feature can be
27:29
handled separately from the current Sprint minimizing disruption while addressing stakeholder urgency it
27:35
balances the agile principle of respecting the Sprint backlog with the need for flexibility in hybrid
27:41
projects let's look at other choices and why they are not the best answer option
27:46
a while reprioritizing tasks to accommodate the change might seem proactive it disrupts agile practices of
27:52
maintaining a stable Sprint backlog this approach risks overloading the team and compromising Sprint goals without
27:58
stakeholder consensus option b deferring the feature aligns with agile principles but may not
28:04
address the stakeholders urgency or demonstrate responsiveness to their concerns potentially damaging trust and
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collaboration option D approving the request and forcing the team to adjust mid-print undermines agile processes and
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risks quality issues or burnout it also fails to consider the broader project context such as stakeholder alignment
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and sponsor constraints okay let's move on of you are ready number
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eight earned value management questions earned value management evm
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questions assess your ability to analyze and interpret project performance data using evm
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metrics these metrics include planned value earned value actual cost and derived indicators like cost performance
28:49
index schedule performance index cost variance and schedule variance these questions test your
28:55
ability to evaluate whether a project is on track back regarding budget and schedule and make datadriven decisions
29:01
to address Performance issues why it's tough earned value management evm
29:08
questions are difficult because they require both precise calculations and the ability to interpret results
29:15
effectively the formulas involved can be intimidating and questions often combine multiple steps requiring you to
29:21
calculate several metrics before arriving at the correct answer additionally understanding what the
29:27
metrics imply about project performance and deciding on the best course of action adds a layer of complexity in an
29:33
exam setting the time pressure to solve problems quickly and accurately further increases the challenge here are a few tips for
29:40
answering the question to succeed with evm questions it's essential to memorize the key
29:46
formulas and understand what each metric indicates about the Project's health for instance knowing that a CPI
29:54
above one means the project is under budget while an SPI below one indicates it is behind schedule allows you to
30:01
interpret results effectively take time to read the question carefully identifying whether
30:07
it focuses on budget schedule or overall project performance work systematically
30:12
through multi-step problems ensuring accuracy at each stage of the calculation beyond the math think
30:19
critically about what the metrics mean and what corrective actions are appropriate as evm questions often test
30:25
decision-making skills as much as technical knowledge by combining a strong grasp of formulas
30:30
with strategic interpretation you can confidently tackle these challenging questions let's look at an earned value
30:37
management question together you are managing a project with a total budget of
30:43
$800,000 at this point 50% of the project work is completed and the team
30:48
has spent $450,000 however the planned work should have been 60% completed by now what are
30:55
the cost performance index CPI and schedule performance index SPI and what
31:01
do they indicate acpi 0.89 SPI
31:06
0.83 the project is over budget and behind schedule B CPI 1.11 SPI 0.83 the project
31:16
is under budget but behind schedule CPI 0.89 SPI 0.92 the project
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is over budget but slightly behind schedule DCP Pi 1.11 SPI 1.0 the project
31:31
is under budget and on schedule you can pause the video here if you need more time all right let's break this down
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step by step the best answer is a to calculate the CPI cost performance index
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you divide earned value EV by actual cost AC in this case the EV is 50% of
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$800,000 which is $400,000 the team has spent $450,000
31:58
so CPI $400,000 divided by $450,000 equals
32:04
0.89 meaning the project is over budget now for the SPI schedule performance
32:10
index you divide EV by Planet value PV PV should be 60% of
32:15
$800,000 which is $480,000 so SPI is equal to
32:21
$400,000 divided by $480,000 and that gives us 0.83 meaning the project is behind
32:29
schedule let's look at other choices option b got the SPI correct but
32:34
the CPI is off this project isn't under budget it's over option C the
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calculation for CPI is correct but the SPI is slightly off you've got the right
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idea this project is over budget and behind schedule but the SPI should be a bit
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lower option D is incorrect the calculations for both CPI and SPI are
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wrong here lead leading to the wrong conclusion that the project is on schedule and under budget which isn't
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the case okay let's move on if you are ready number nine PMI code of ethics and
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professional conduct PMI code of ethics and professional conduct questions assess
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your understanding of ethical decision-making and professional responsibilities as a project manager
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these questions focus on the core values outlined in pmi's Code of Ethics responsibility respect fairness and
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honesty you'll encounter scenarios where you need to navigate ethical dilemmas handle conflicts of interest ensure
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fairness or protect confidentiality the goal is to evaluate how well you uphold
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pmi's ethical standards while balancing project and stakeholder demands why it's tough ethics questions
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are challenging because they often present scenarios with competing priorities requiring you to navigate
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ambiguity and balance ethical Integrity with professional responsibilities these questions test
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your ability to align your decisions with pmi's core values responsibility respect fairness and honesty while
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addressing stakeholder demands organizational constraints and sometimes emotionally charged situations the
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correct answer often requires careful analysis and prioritizing long-term trust over short-term
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convenience here are a few tips for answering the question to succeed start
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by identifying the ethical principles being tested such as fairness or transparency focus on responses that
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demonstrate Integrity accountability and respect for for all stakeholders avoid options that suggest
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dishonesty bias or neglecting ethical duties choose actions that promote open communication build trust and align with
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pmi's core values even if they involve difficult conversations or Decisions by
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prioritizing professionalism and long-term relationships you can confidently navigate these
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scenarios let's look at a code of ethics question together you are the project manager for a large government project
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during a team meeting a colleague suggests using a subcontractor they know but fails to disclose their personal
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relationship with the subcontractor's owner you suspect a potential conflict of interest what is the best course of
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action a report the potential conflict of interest to your legal department to ensure transparency and compliance with
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government policies B privately speak with your colleague reminding them to disclose any
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personal relationships that could affect decision-making and Report the conflict if necessary C exclude the subcontractor
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from consideration entirely to avoid any appearance of impiety and maintain project Integrity D allow the
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subcontractor to participate in the bidding process but ensure there is a competitive and transparent selection
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process to prevent favortism you can pause the video here if you need more time all right let's unpack this one the
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best answer is B the best course of action is to First have a private conversation with your colleague this
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approach allows them the opportunity to disclose the relationship voluntarily maintaining trust and professionalism if
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the conflict is not disclosed or addressed after the conversation escalation may be necessary but giving
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them a chance to correct the situation is the most balanced and ethical First Step let's look at other choices and why
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they are not the best answer option a reporting the conflict immediately to the legal department ensures compliance
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but is too drastic as an initial step directly involving legal could harm trust and Team Dynamics without first
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understanding the full context or giving your colleague a chance to address the issue themselves option C excluding the
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subcontractor out rate may seem like a clean solution but it is premature and unfair without confirming whether the
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relationship creates a genuine conflict of interest this approach also risks alienating the colleague and overlooking
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a potentially qualified subcontractor option D allowing the subcontractor to bid while ensuring
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transparency is a reasonable approach but it assumes the conflict of interest has already been disclosed and addressed
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moving forward without first addressing the ethical concern could undermine fairness and Trust okay let's move on if you are
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ready number 10 integrated project management questions these questions evaluate your
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ability to coordinate all aspects of a project such as scope cost schedule risk
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and resources into a cohesive plan the questions focus on how well you manage interdependencies and balance competing
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priorities to achieve project objectives scenarios often involve unexpected changes or conflicts requiring you to
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assess the Ripple effects of decisions across multiple project areas why it's tough these questions are
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challenging because they require a broad understanding of how different project components interact you need to evaluate
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the impact of changes in one area on the rest of the project often with limited information the difficulty lies in
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balancing trade-offs between competing priorities making form decisions under uncertainty and thinking holistically to
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avoid unintended consequences here are a few tips for answering the question to answer these
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questions effectively focus on identifying the core issue and how it affects the Project's interdependent
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elements consider the broader implications of changes in scope cost or schedule and choose options that balance
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priorities while maintaining alignment with project goals avoid responses that focus
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narrowly on a single problem without addressing the broader imp prioritize actions that involve revisiting the project plan
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collaborating with stakeholders and using structured processes like change control or risk management the best
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answers demonstrate a thoughtful systemwide approach that keeps the project aligned with organizational
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objectives let's look at an integrated project management question together you are managing a project to launch a new
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e-commerce platform during a progress review you discover that a key module does not meet functional requirements
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due to a design oversight fixing this issue will require significant rework increasing costs by 15% and delaying the
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timeline by 3 weeks the sponsor is insistent on meeting the original deadline due to a high-profile marketing
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campaign already scheduled what is the best course of action a propose a
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temporary workaround for the module to meet the functional requirements at a basic level ensuring the platform
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Launches on schedule and plan to address the oversight in future updates B conduct an impact analysis of
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delaying the fix until after the platform's launch and present options to stakeholders emphasizing the importance
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of meeting the original deadline C facilitate a meeting with key stakeholders including the sponsor to
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discuss the trade-offs between quality cost and timeline and collaboratively decide on the path forward de adjust the
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platform scope to exclude the problematic module focusing on delivering a highquality product for the
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remaining features while communicating the adjustment to stakeholders post launch you can pause the video here if
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you need more time all right let's break this one down the best answer is C
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because it ensures transparency collaboration and Alignment among all stakeholders this approach allows for
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informed decision- making based on a holistic view of project priorities and constraints let's take a look at other
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choices option A is an appealing choice because proposing a temporary workaround might seem to balance functionality and
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timeline but it risks compromising quality quality and user experience leading to long-term reputational
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damage option b focuses on maintaining the timeline and encourages analysis but
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delaying the fix without full stakeholder engagement could lead to unresolved quality issues and
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stakeholder dissatisfaction option D is tempting because narrowing the scope could ensure
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a highquality launch for other features but it sidesteps the critical need for stakeholder input and risks misalignment
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with project objectives there you go the 10 hardest types of PM questions we covered a lot
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in this video and you may want to rewatch it to let these Concepts sync in you can use the timestamp to jump to any
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type of question you want to review before we wrap up here is a thank you bonus for completing the 10
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questions with final tips to help you tackle any challenging PMP
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questions one take your time when you come across a tough question don't rush
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through it take a moment to fully understand what's being asked often the key to the right answer is hidden in the
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details and rushing can make you miss important Clues two eliminate the obvious wrong
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answers sometimes the trick is not in finding the right answer right away but eliminating the obviously wrong ones
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narrow down your options using the strikeout feature so you can focus on the best possible choice three think
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like PMI not just like a project manager remember the PMP exam tests you
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on pmi's best practices not necessarily what you would do in your own projects
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always consider the pmi's preferred approaches when making your choice four trust your knowledge don't
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overthink it's easy to second guess yourself especially on tricky questions but often your first instinct is correct
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if you've studied well trust in your preparation and avoid over complicating the question five practice practice
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practice find nothing beats practice the more PMP exam style questions you tackle
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the more familiar you'll become with the patterns and logic of these questions so make practice exams your best friend I
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hope you find this video helpful as it takes many hours to put it together if so please like the video and consider
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subscribing to PM aspirant for more PMP exam tips and strategies so how many did you answer
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correctly do you want more PMP exam prep videos like this one please let me know in the comments below if you want more
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practice questions please check out the link in the video description thank you for watching till the end of this video
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and I wish you the best of luck with your PMP exam lastly if you have not done so make sure you also watch the PMP
43:13
exam mindset video
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