PMP · Question #1030
A project manager has been hired to lead a governance consulting project that is in the initial phase. The project manager has been assigned to evaluate the supplier search activity. There are many…
The correct answer is D. Evaluate the suppliers based on their experience and skills in similar projects. The project manager should objectively evaluate all potential suppliers based on their relevant experience and skills for the specific project, disregarding prior relationships or sponsor recommendations.
Question
Options
- AEvaluate suppliers who have worked successfully with the company before
- BRequest the contracting area take charge of the supplier evaluation process
- CPrioritize evaluation of the suppliers recommended by the sponsor
- DEvaluate the suppliers based on their experience and skills in similar projects
How the community answered
(57 responses)- A2% (1)
- B12% (7)
- C7% (4)
- D79% (45)
Why each option
The project manager should objectively evaluate all potential suppliers based on their relevant experience and skills for the specific project, disregarding prior relationships or sponsor recommendations.
While past success is a factor, it should not be the sole or prioritized criterion; the best fit for the current project's unique needs might be a new supplier.
The project manager is explicitly 'assigned to evaluate the supplier search activity,' so delegating the entire evaluation process would not fulfill their assigned responsibility.
Prioritizing suppliers based solely on a sponsor's recommendation introduces bias and may not lead to selecting the most competent or cost-effective supplier for the project.
To ensure the best outcome for the project, the project manager must conduct an objective evaluation of all potential suppliers based on merit, specifically their experience and skills relevant to the current project's needs. This approach promotes fair competition and selects the most qualified candidate.
Concept tested: Objective supplier evaluation and procurement
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Luis F.May 3, 2026D is the correct answer here. The PMI mindset is all about objective criteria, so you evaluate every supplier on their experience and skills regardless of who recommended them. A and C are traps because playing favorites with former suppliers or sponsor picks introduces bias into the procurement process. B sounds tempting if you want to pass the buck, but the PM still owns the overall evaluation even if the contracting department helps with the paperwork.
Nina C.May 6, 2026Agreed on D, though I would add that documenting the evaluation criteria in the procurement management plan before you ever see the proposals is what actually keeps it objective, otherwise it is easy to retroactively justify a pick.
Dervla O.Apr 14, 2026D is the process play here because the PM has to use objective criteria, not relationships or sponsor influence, to evaluate suppliers. A and C both bias the evaluation toward familiarity or politics, which undermines fair procurement. B hands off a core PM responsibility when the stem says the PM was assigned to do this evaluation. One thing I want to nail down: does the PMP always expect you to apply source selection criteria from the procurement plan even when former suppliers have a track record, or is there a scenario where prior performance alone is sufficient?
Nina C.Apr 16, 2026Yes, the PMP always wants objective source selection criteria from the procurement plan regardless of past performance, but prior work with a supplier can absolutely be one of those documented criteria, just not the sole deciding factor.
Wei W.Apr 23, 2026D is the right call. A is tempting because prior relationships feel lower risk, but the empirical play is to evaluate everyone against the same criteria so the team is choosing based on demonstrated capability, not familiarity or sponsor influence.
Nina C.Apr 4, 2026Leaned toward A because familiar suppliers seem safer, but D is objective and unbiased.