PMI Updated PMP Exam Questions and Answers by eben

A root cause analysis is a technique that helps identify the underlying factors or causes of a problem or issue in a project12. It involves asking a series of questions, such as why, how, and what, to trace the problem back to its source and prevent it from recurring34. A root cause analysis is a best practice for project management because it helps the project team understand the nature and extent of the problem, find effective solutions, and avoid wasting time and resources on superficial fixes .

The project manager should have the project team perform a root cause analysis first to address the issue of the functionality failure because it will help them determine the exact reason why the functionality did not perform as expected, and what actions are needed to correct it. The other options are not the best practices for the first step to address the issue because:

Updating the issue log and documenting the change are important steps to record and communicate the issue, but they do not help solve the problem or prevent it from happening again .

Reviewing the product specification requirements is a good way to verify the expectations and scope of the project, but it does not help identify the cause of the functionality failure or how to fix it .

Submitting a change request for corrective action is a formal process that requires the approval of the change control board and the alignment with the project baselines and plans, but it does not help diagnose the problem or propose a solution .

The alignment between the project team and stakeholders is crucial for the success of a project. This alignment must be maintained throughout the project’s life cycle, ensuring clarity of scope, risk, schedule, and price at each phase1. In a hybrid project management approach, risks should be reviewed during each iteration and review to ensure alignment between the project team and stakeholders2. This allows for timely identification and mitigation of risks, ensuring that all parties are aware of potential risks and their outcomes2. Regular reviews also facilitate open communication and collaboration, which are key to successful risk management3.

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a key project deliverable that organizes the team’s work into manageable sections. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) defines the work breakdown structure as a “deliverable oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team.” This option is the most effective way to manage large and complex deliverables that cannot be assigned to a single person. References: PMBOK Guide, 6th Edition, Section 5.4: Create WBS

A spike is a time-boxed activity that is used to explore a specific topic or issue, such as a new requirement, a technical challenge, or a risk. A spike can help the project team to gain more knowledge, reduce uncertainty, and plan better. In this case, the project manager should inform the project team of the new privacy law and create a spike for the next iteration to investigate how to comply with it and what impact it will have on the project scope, schedule, cost, and quality. References: PMBOK Guide, 7th edition, section 6.2.3.2; Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Guide, 2nd edition, section 5.2.3.2.