Project Management Professional (PMP) — Question 730

A project manager who takes over halfway through a project determines that the cost performance index (CPI) is 0.65. A detailed audit identifies that the project cost was analogously estimated, and the audit team thinks that something was missing in the way the estimates were done.

What should have been done to avoid this problem?

Answer options

• A. Utilized three-point estimates
• B. Validated the schedule performance index (SPI) to evaluate deviation
• C. Included lessons learned from past projects
• D. Used bottom-up estimating

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct choice, D, suggests that using bottom-up estimating would have provided a more accurate and detailed breakdown of costs, preventing the oversight. Options A and C, while beneficial, do not directly address the estimating process utilized. B is not relevant as it focuses on schedule performance rather than cost estimation issues.