Project Management Professional (PMP) — Question 1202

During the design phase of a project, the project manager notices that the schedule performance index (SPI) is 1,8 and the cost performance index (CPI) is 0,1. In a weekly meeting with top management, the project manager reports concerns about these indicators. However, the most concerned person was the project sponsor who said that if the trend continues, they will be forced to prematurely close the project.
What should the project manager do?

Answer options

• A. Monitor the project sponsor, but understand that it is normal to spend more money in the design phase of a project
• B. Stop crashing the schedule
• C. Manage the project sponsor closely and revise the project's resource management plan to improve indicators
• D. Use a resource-leveling technique

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is C because managing the project sponsor closely and revising the resource management plan can directly address the issues indicated by the low CPI and ensure that the project remains on track. Option A is incorrect as it dismisses the seriousness of the CPI issue, while B and D do not directly address the performance concerns raised by the project sponsor.