GPM-b Practice Questions
Prepare for GPM-b with more than an answer.
- Level
- Basic
- Valid for
- 5 years
Domains covered on the exam 2
- Sustainability Methods50%
- Delivery Methods50%
- 1
Fill in the blank: The ________ is a key document in the PRiSM methodology that outlines how the project will manage, monitor, and report on sustainability objectives throughout the project lifecycle.
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Correct answer: D
The Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) is the specific plan within PRiSM that details the strategy, metrics, roles, and responsibilities for achieving the project's sustainability goals.
- 2
When integrating sustainability into a Traditional (Waterfall) project, which phase offers the GREATEST opportunity to influence the project's long-term environmental impact?
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Correct answer: A
The cost of change increases and the ability to influence stakeholders decreases as the project progresses. The Initiation or Concept phase is where fundamental decisions (site selection, technology choice, scope) are made that lock in the long-term sustainability profile of the project.
- 3
Which of the following describes the concept of 'Circular Economy' within the P5 'Product' dimension?
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Correct answer: C
The Circular Economy is a model of production and consumption that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In the P5 Product dimension, this means designing for longevity, disassembly, and regeneration rather than the 'take-make-waste' linear model.
flowchart LR A[Raw Materials] --> B[Design/Production] B --> C[Distribution] C --> D[Consumption/Use] D --> E{End of Life?} E -->|Recycle/Reuse| B E -->|Repair| D E -->|Waste| F[Landfill] style E fill:#f9f,stroke:#333 style F fill:#ccc,stroke:#333 - 4
A project manager is using a Risk Register to track sustainability risks. An identified risk is 'Potential increase in carbon tax rates next year'. How should this risk be categorized in the P5 framework?
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Correct answer: D
While carbon is an environmental issue, a 'tax' represents a financial cost to the project or organization. Therefore, the impact is on the project's financial viability and return on investment, classifying it primarily as a Prosperity (Economic) risk.
- 5
In a project network diagram, the Critical Path is the sequence of activities that represents the ________ duration for the project. Any delay on this path will delay the project finish date.
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Correct answer: C
The Critical Path is the longest path through the network diagram. It determines the shortest possible time in which the project can be completed. Because it has zero float, any delay on this path extends the total project duration.
- 6
A project manager is initiating a new infrastructure project in a developing region. The project board has mandated strict adherence to the P5 Standard to ensure holistic sustainability. During the initial assessment, the team identifies that while the project will bring significant economic growth (Prosperity) and uses eco-friendly materials (Planet), it requires displacing a local indigenous community, negatively impacting their cultural heritage. According to the P5 Standard, which dimension is primarily being compromised in this scenario, and what is the immediate ethical obligation?
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Correct answer: D
The P5 Standard's People dimension explicitly covers social equity, human rights, and community impacts. Displacing a community violates social sustainability principles. Under GPM ethics and the P5 framework, ignoring significant negative social impacts for the sake of economic prosperity is unacceptable. The project manager must address this conflict immediately.
- 7
You are a Green Project Manager responsible for a manufacturing plant upgrade. You are conducting a P5 Impact Analysis. You have identified that the new machinery will reduce energy consumption by 20% (Planet) and increase production speed by 15% (Prosperity). However, the machinery requires specialized maintenance that the current local workforce is not qualified to perform, potentially leading to layoffs. Which specific category within the 'People' dimension of the P5 Standard does this risk fall under?
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Correct answer: B
In the P5 Standard, 'Labor Practices and Decent Work' (often mapped to ISO 26000) covers issues related to employment security, skills development, and the impact of technological changes on the workforce. The risk of layoffs due to a skills gap directly pertains to labor practices.
- 8
During the Initiation phase of a project using the PRiSM methodology, the project manager is tasked with creating a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP). Which of the following is a PRIMARY input required to develop a robust SMP that aligns with organizational strategy?
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Correct answer: B
The P5 Impact Analysis is a critical tool used during the PRiSM Initiation phase. It assesses the potential impacts of the project across the five dimensions (People, Planet, Prosperity, Product, Process). The results of this analysis directly inform the strategies and controls documented in the Sustainability Management Plan (SMP).
- 9
A global logistics company is selecting a project methodology for a new fleet electrification initiative. The project has high regulatory scrutiny, fixed deadlines for carbon reduction, and complex dependencies between charging infrastructure installation and vehicle delivery. Which delivery method would be MOST appropriate to manage the complex dependencies while ensuring strict adherence to the sustainability compliance deadlines?
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Correct answer: B
Traditional/Waterfall methodologies, particularly when utilizing the Critical Path Method (CPM), are best suited for projects with fixed deadlines, complex sequential dependencies (like infrastructure needing to be ready before vehicles arrive), and strict regulatory compliance requirements where 'figuring it out as you go' poses a compliance risk.
- 10
True or False: In the context of the P5 Standard, the 'Product' dimension refers exclusively to the physical goods produced by a project and does not include the services or results generated.
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Correct answer: B
False. In the P5 Standard, the 'Product' dimension encompasses the impacts arising from the project's deliverables, which can be physical goods, services, or results. It considers the entire lifecycle of the deliverable, including usage and end-of-life, regardless of whether it is tangible or intangible.
