PMP · Question #1335
A project manager has taken over an existing project. According to the previous project manager, the project is on track and within budget. However, stakeholders are unhappy with the recent progress r
The correct answer is D. Conduct an earned value analysis (EVA).. To accurately assess project performance when reports conflict, the new project manager should conduct an Earned Value Analysis (EVA).
Question
Options
- ASchedule a meeting with the previous project manager.
- BSubmit a change request to the change control board (CCB).
- CSchedule training for project team members.
- DConduct an earned value analysis (EVA).
How the community answered
(55 responses)- A13% (7)
- B22% (12)
- C5% (3)
- D60% (33)
Why each option
To accurately assess project performance when reports conflict, the new project manager should conduct an Earned Value Analysis (EVA).
Scheduling a meeting with the previous project manager might provide context but doesn't independently verify the conflicting performance data.
Submitting a change request is premature; the project manager first needs to understand the true situation before proposing changes.
Scheduling training for project team members is unrelated to resolving a discrepancy in project performance metrics and understanding the current status.
When there is a discrepancy between reported status and actual stakeholder perception of project performance, conducting an Earned Value Analysis (EVA) is the most objective and comprehensive approach. EVA integrates scope, schedule, and cost performance to provide an accurate, quantitative assessment of whether the project is on track, delayed, or over budget, clarifying the true project status.
Concept tested: Project performance measurement (Earned Value Analysis)
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/project-management/earned-value-management
Topics
Community Discussion
10
Wesley A.May 23, 2026D is the answer here, confirmed on my second attempt after this exact scenario tripped me up the first time. When you take over a project and the reported status contradicts what stakeholders are seeing, you need objective data before you do anything else. EVA gives you the actual schedule and cost performance metrics, CPI and SPI, so you can see the real picture instead of relying on someone's word. I picked B the first time because I wanted to fix things fast, but you cannot submit a change request until you understand what is actually wrong.
Dervla O.May 24, 2026Good call on D, and your reasoning about needing objective data before a change request is exactly right, but the key trigger word in the stem is usually something like reported or claimed, which is your signal that someone's status update does not match reality and you need to verify with EVA before taking any action.
Dervla O.May 30, 2026D is correct here. Before you take any corrective action or escalate to anyone, you need objective data on actual performance versus plan, and EVA is the tool that gives you those real numbers.
Mateus R.May 31, 2026Spot on, and think of it like taking your car to the mechanic: you do not just say "it sounds funny," you hand over the diagnostic codes, which is exactly what EVA does for a project before you go knocking on the sponsor's door.
Luis F.May 18, 2026D for sure. You need actual data before you do anything else, and EVA is exactly how you figure out the real schedule and cost variance instead of just trusting the previous PMs word.
Mateus R.May 20, 2026Spot on about D, and heres the plain way I remember EVA: think of it like balancing your checkbook halfway through the month instead of just trusting the budget you wrote back in January, which is exactly what Earned Value Analysis does for schedule and cost variance.
Mateus R.May 14, 2026Picking B. The numbers say budget and schedule are busted, so a change request fixes it.
Wesley A.May 15, 2026D is correct here. A change request is the right move when budget or schedule are actually blown, but the question is asking about variances that are within the thresholds, which means you monitor and control the work, not submit a change request. I picked B on my first attempt too and it cost me, so watch for that distinction in the wording.
Brenda K.May 10, 2026B is the move here. The previous PM's numbers are clearly off, so the baseline you inherited no longer reflects reality and you need a change request to correct it. Flagging this one as a 45-second decision, do not overthink it. D is a time sink trap because by the time you finish crunching EVA the stakeholders are still staring at a broken report.
Luis F.May 12, 2026Actually D is the right call here. If the baseline itself is off, you need to run EVA first to quantify the variance and confirm the root cause before you can justify a change request, otherwise you are requesting a change with no data to back it up.