Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlineProcessEasy
During the execution phase of a construction project, the project manager notices that the concrete curing process is consistently taking longer than planned, delaying subsequent activities. This deviation was not anticipated in the schedule baseline. What is the first step the project manager should take?
- AUpdate the project schedule to reflect the new curing times and inform stakeholders of the delay.
- BInvestigate the root cause of the extended curing time and assess its impact on the project schedule and cost.
- CImplement overtime for the construction crew to try and catch up on the delayed activities.
- DRequest additional resources from the sponsor to accelerate other project activities to compensate.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Investigate the root cause of the extended curing time and assess its impact on the project schedule and cost.
When an issue arises, the first step is always to understand its nature and impact. Investigating the root cause provides the necessary information to develop an effective solution, rather than reacting without full understanding.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Updating the schedule without understanding the cause or potential solutions is premature and may not be the optimal response.
- C. Implementing overtime without understanding the root cause might be ineffective or even counterproductive if the issue is environmental or material-related.
- D. Requesting resources without a clear plan or understanding the cause is reactive and may not solve the underlying problem.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
A systematic process for identifying the underlying causes of problems or incidents, rather than just addressing the symptoms.
- Aims to prevent recurrence of issues by tackling their fundamental origins.
- Common tools include the '5 Whys', Fishbone diagrams, and Pareto charts.
- Essential for effective problem-solving and continuous process improvement.
Memory trick: When performance deviates, first, question 'why', then plan 'how' to fix.