TOPIC: Free PMP® Exam Sample Question

You are managing a project to build five bridges. The project consists of five sequential phases with each phase delivering one bridge.

After the first phase of the project is complete, which process group of the second phase should follow?

A. Initiating
B. Planning
C. Executing
D. Closing

---

HINT: Which process group is performed at the beginning of a new project or a new phase of an existing project?

---

All our questions are updated to the latest A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) standard. Stop by at free.pm-exam-simulator.com/ and try the PM Exam Simulator free for 7 days. We are a trusted and experienced education provider.

Answer and Explanation
The correct answer is A

The Initiating Process Group is made up of two processes, Develop Project Charter and Identify Stakeholders. The Initiating Process Group is performed to define a new project or a new phase of an existing project by obtaining authorization to start the project or phase. The purpose of this Process Group is to align the stakeholders' expectations and the project purpose, inform stakeholders of the scope and objectives, and discuss how their participation in the project and its associated phases can help to ensure their expectations are met.

In the scenario described, you are about to start a new project phase. Therefore, you should start with the Develop Project Charter process. It does not necessarily mean you would develop a new project charter for each consecutive project phase, but it means that you will perform the processes of the Initiating Process Group starting with the Develop Project Charter process. You will review the project charter to see if the high-level assumptions and constraints made during project initiation are still valid, and whether or not the market conditions are still favorable for the project. Performing this process may result in an update of the charter or an addendum to the project charter. In an extreme scenario, this process may result in project termination.

While the PMBOK® Guide does not explicitly mention going back to the Initiating Process Group to look at the project charter, it does provide several examples implying that the project team may choose to go with each new phase as a separate, stand-alone project. Undertaking a stand-alone project means performing all its processes, starting with the Develop Project Charter. The same logic applies to the next process in the Initiating Process Group, the Identify Stakeholders process. It is possible that new stakeholders became involved in the project, or some of the previous stakeholders left, or the level of engagement of the existing stakeholders have changed. Even if nothing has changed, the Develop Project Charter and the Identify Stakeholder processes should be performed. Otherwise, how would you be able to conclude that nothing has changed? Therefore, starting the new phase of the project with the processes of the Initiating Process Group is the best answer to the question asked.

Details for each option:

A. Initiating
Correct. The Initiating Process Group consists of two processes, Develop Project Charter and Identify Stakeholders. The processes of the Initiating Process Group are performed to define a new project or a new phase of an existing project by obtaining authorization to start the project or phase.

B. Planning
Incorrect. The processes of the Planning Process Group establish the scope of the project, refine the objectives, and define the course of action required to attain the objectives that the project was undertaken to achieve. Before planning for the next phase can begin, the processes of the Initiating Process Group should be completed.

C. Executing
Incorrect. The processes of the Executing Process Group are performed to complete the work defined in the project management plan to satisfy the project requirements. Performing these processes at the beginning of a new phase without first initiating and then planning the phrase makes little sense.

D. Closing
Incorrect. The processes of the Closing Process Group are performed to formally complete or close a project or phase, or contract. It does not make sense to close a phase that has not yet even been started.

Reference: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK^® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 23, 75