PMP · Question #143
A project has met the agreed-upon product requirements and is closing. There is time remaining in the schedule and excess budget. The resources are not yet scheduled to move to other projects. Several
The correct answer is C. Acknowledge the project closure criteria has been met and release the remaining budget and. Since the project has met all agreed-upon product requirements and is closing, the project manager should acknowledge successful completion and release remaining resources and budget.
Question
Options
- AUse the remaining time and resources to add additional scope to the project without spending the
- BEnsure product quality by spending the remaining resources and time on additional quality checks
- CAcknowledge the project closure criteria has been met and release the remaining budget and
- DObtain approval from the sponsor to add additional functionality to the project deliverables with
How the community answered
(36 responses)- A14% (5)
- B8% (3)
- C75% (27)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
Since the project has met all agreed-upon product requirements and is closing, the project manager should acknowledge successful completion and release remaining resources and budget.
Adding additional scope to a completed project, even with remaining time and resources, constitutes scope creep and deviates from the agreed-upon deliverables.
While quality is important, spending remaining resources solely on additional quality checks for an already completed and accepted product is not a standard closure activity and can be inefficient.
Once all agreed-upon project requirements are met and the project closure criteria have been satisfied, the project is considered complete, and any remaining budget or resources should be released to prevent scope creep or unnecessary spending. This demonstrates good stewardship of organizational resources and adherence to the project's defined scope.
Obtaining approval from the sponsor to add additional functionality would effectively extend the project and constitute scope creep, which goes against the principle of closing a project that has already met its requirements.
Concept tested: Project closure principles and scope control
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/close-project-or-phase
Topics
Community Discussion
4
Grace U.Nov 15, 2025C is correct here. Once the agreed-upon requirements are met and closure criteria are satisfied, the project is done, and gold plating or scope creep is not acceptable just because there is leftover time and budget. The PM should formally close the project, release the remaining budget, and free up the resources. If stakeholders want more functionality, that is a new initiative that should go through proper portfolio and governance channels.
Anjali D.Nov 2, 2025C on my exam last month, gold plating is a trap I almost fell for.
Carlos M.Dec 6, 2025I first leaned toward D because the product champions wanted more features and getting sponsor approval sounded reasonable. But the question says the agreed-upon requirements are met and the project is closing, so the PM needs to acknowledge closure criteria has been met and release the remaining budget and resources, which is C.
Luis F.Nov 21, 2025C is the right call here. I almost picked D because the product champions want to keep adding stuff, but the project already met the closure criteria. Gold plating is a trap even if people ask for it, and you dont just keep working because there is leftover budget and time. Once requirements are met, you close the project and release the resources so they can roll on to whatever is next.