PMP · Question #978
A project manager has recently been asked to take over an existing project that is halfway through execution. The project sponsor asked the project manager to ensure that the work carried out and the
The correct answer is D. Review the benefits realization plan.. To ensure the project's work and product remain aligned with prescribed business value, the project manager should review the benefits realization plan.
Question
A project manager has recently been asked to take over an existing project that is halfway through execution. The project sponsor asked the project manager to ensure that the work carried out and the product being created do not deviate from the prescribed business value. What should the project manager do to achieve this goal?
Options
- AReview the requirements management plan.
- BMonitor the work breakdown structure (WBS).
- CCarry out quality audits and failure analyses.
- DReview the benefits realization plan.
How the community answered
(46 responses)- A4% (2)
- B9% (4)
- C17% (8)
- D70% (32)
Why each option
To ensure the project's work and product remain aligned with prescribed business value, the project manager should review the benefits realization plan.
Reviewing the requirements management plan helps ensure requirements are properly defined and managed, but it doesn't directly address the *business value* itself, which is what the sponsor is concerned about.
Monitoring the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) ensures that all scope is covered and organized, but it doesn't guarantee alignment with business value, only with the defined work.
Quality audits and failure analyses focus on the quality of deliverables and processes, preventing defects, but they don't inherently ensure the project delivers the *intended business value*.
A benefits realization plan outlines how the project's outputs and outcomes will deliver the intended business value and benefits. Reviewing this plan helps the project manager understand the ultimate goals and metrics for success, ensuring that all ongoing work and the evolving product consistently contribute to achieving those defined benefits and avoid deviation.
Concept tested: Project benefits management; Value alignment
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/project-integration-management
Topics
Community Discussion
7
Wei W.Jul 5, 2026D is correct here because the benefits realization plan is exactly what ties ongoing delivery back to intended business value. The sponsor is not asking about schedule decomposition or scope breakdown, they want assurance that the outcome still maps to the why behind the project. A through C are useful artifacts in their own right but they focus on requirements, structure, or quality process rather than validating that the right value is being realized. Whenever a question frames things around business value or benefits, the benefits realization plan is almost always the intended answer.
Brenda K.Jul 8, 2026Agree on D but flag this one mentally as a 15-second read because the "business value" keyword basically hands you the answer, which frees up clock time for the longer scenario questions you will want to revisit at the end.
Brenda K.Jul 5, 2026Leaned toward A first, but "business value" = benefits realization plan. Flag and move on, quick win.
Carlos M.Jul 7, 2026Seconded, benefits realization plan is the PMI keyword they are fishing for, but watch for a trap option that says benefits management plan because that is the broader container and not the same doc.
Carlos M.Jun 27, 2026Leaned toward A but business value = benefits realization plan, so D.
Viktor S.Jul 5, 2026Leaned toward A first, but "business value" = benefits realization plan.
Carlos M.Jul 6, 2026Agreed, but watch for wording like "ongoing tracking" because that can nudge it toward benefits register instead of the plan.