PMP · Question #580
A project manager is working on a unique project that is dissimilar to the project nature of the organization. The project manager is tailoring the artifacts for this new project. Who should determine
The correct answer is D. The project manager and the project management team should select the appropriate artifacts for. For a unique project requiring tailoring, the project manager and project management team are responsible for selecting the appropriate project artifacts.
Question
A project manager is working on a unique project that is dissimilar to the project nature of the organization. The project manager is tailoring the artifacts for this new project. Who should determine which artifacts should be used in the project?
Options
- AThe project stakeholders should meet and determine the project artifacts to be used by the
- BThe project manager and project management team should use the standard project artifacts
- CThe project sponsor should select the project artifacts that the project manager and project
- DThe project manager and the project management team should select the appropriate artifacts for
How the community answered
(22 responses)- A5% (1)
- B5% (1)
- C14% (3)
- D77% (17)
Why each option
For a unique project requiring tailoring, the project manager and project management team are responsible for selecting the appropriate project artifacts.
Project stakeholders provide input and approval, but the core decision and planning of project management artifacts typically rest with the project manager and team.
Using only standard project artifacts is inappropriate for a unique project that requires tailoring, as the standard ones might not fit the specific needs.
While the project sponsor approves the project charter and high-level requirements, selecting specific project artifacts is typically within the purview of the project manager and team, who are responsible for day-to-day project execution.
The project manager, in collaboration with the project management team, possesses the expertise and understanding of the project's unique characteristics to determine which artifacts are most suitable and efficient for its successful delivery, including tailoring existing processes or creating new ones.
Concept tested: Project tailoring and manager responsibility
Topics
Community Discussion
7
Hiroshi T.Jan 13, 2026D is correct. The PMBOK Guide 6th Edition is explicit on this point: tailoring is the responsibility of the project manager and the project management team. Section 1.3 states that they must select the appropriate processes, inputs, tools, techniques, outputs, and lifecycle phases for the specific project. Options A and C try to push that responsibility onto stakeholders or the sponsor, which contradicts official guidance. Option B is wrong because using standard artifacts without tailoring them defeats the purpose when the project is unique and dissimilar to the norm.
Toby R.Jan 1, 2026Passed last month and got one almost identical to this. D is correct because tailoring is done by the PM and the project management team, not the sponsor or stakeholders, but I am curious whether the exam ever expects stakeholders to have input on artifact selection during the initiation phase or if its always solely the PM team's call.
Zlatan X.Dec 11, 2025D is the call here. The PMBOK Guide is explicit that tailoring is the responsibility of the project manager and the project management team, since they own delivery-level governance and benefit realization for the component. Option B is the tempting trap because using standard artifacts sounds safe, but the stem stresses the project is dissimilar to the organization's normal work, which makes a copy-paste approach a governance risk. That said, the answer text reads like it got cut off mid-sentence, which is annoying for exam prep material.
Samuel O.Dec 24, 2025B is the right call here. In my experience transitioning into formal PM work, the PM and the project management team own the tailoring process, and sticking with standard artifacts as the baseline is exactly what the PMI framework expects when you are dealing with a project that does not match the org's usual nature.
Hiroshi T.Dec 26, 2025D is correct here. Per the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition, tailoring is a shared responsibility across the project team and stakeholders, not solely the PM's domain, and the question stem points to selecting development approach and processes as the tailoring focus rather than defaulting to standard artifacts.
Ingrid P.Dec 21, 2025Going with C here. When a project is unique and dissimilar to the organization's normal work, the sponsor owns the tailoring decision because they carry the risk and accountability for funding something outside the usual portfolio, so it falls on them to pick which artifacts apply.
Toby R.Dec 23, 2025D is correct here, Ingrid. Tailoring decisions are made by the project manager, not the sponsor, because the PM is the one responsible for determining which process artifacts fit the specific project context, the sponsor just approves the overall approach.