CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005)Project Life Cycle PhasesHard
During planning, a project manager initially defines high-level work packages for a 12-month project. As each phase approaches, the team refines those work packages into detailed tasks using the latest available information, while future phases remain at a high level until they get closer. Which concept best describes this overall practice of continuously adding detail to plans as more information becomes available?
- AProgressive elaboration
- BResource leveling
- CScope creep
- DChange control
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Progressive elaboration
Progressive elaboration is the iterative process of continuously improving and detailing a plan as more specific information and more accurate estimates become available throughout the project lifecycle. Scope creep is uncontrolled scope expansion, change control governs formal changes, and resource leveling addresses resource overallocation.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Resource leveling resolves resource overallocation, unrelated to plan detail refinement.
- C. Scope creep refers to uncontrolled, unapproved scope expansion, not planned refinement.
- D. Change control is the formal process for approving changes, not planning refinement.
Progressive Elaboration
The iterative process of continuously refining and adding detail to project plans as more accurate information becomes available.
- Applies throughout the project lifecycle
- Distinct from rolling wave planning, which is a specific technique for it
- Not the same as scope creep, which is uncontrolled
Memory trick: Progressive elaboration = the plan gets 'sharper' over time like a zoom lens