Question

After completing most of your project management plan, your project sponsor is so impressed that she comments, "With this level of planning and detail, we know exactly where the project will be nine months from now." What is the BEST response you should give to the sponsor?

A That is correct. Good planning gives us precise knowledge about how our project will perform.
B Projects that are planned and scheduled using the critical chain method would be even more reliable in minimizing any possible changes.
C Projects seldom run exactly according to the project management plan; that is why we have integrated change control processes.
D These are exactly the type of results that are achieved through professional project management as defined in the PMBOK® Guide.

Answer 1

The best response to the project sponsor is emphasizing the role of integrated change control processes, indicating that projects seldom run exactly as planned, but preparation for managing changes is key to success.

Option 'C' is the correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response to give to the project sponsor, when they comment on the level of planning and detail in the project management plan predicting where the project will be in nine months, is to emphasize the value of the change control processes.

It is optimistic to think that the project will run exactly as planned, but it is more realistic to acknowledge that there may be unforeseen changes. Hence, it's essential to clearly convey the importance of being prepared to manage those changes through established procedures.

You should respond with this option: C. Projects seldom run exactly according to the project management plan; that is why we have integrated change control processes. It's an acknowledgment of the inherent uncertainties in project management and the importance of being able to adapt and manage changes as they come.

It's crucial to recognize that good planning is not about predicting the future with certainty, but about preparing for uncertainties. Therefore, even when a project management plan is comprehensive and well-constructed, it is the ability to adapt through integrated change control processes that ultimately contributes to a project's success.