Six Sigma Global Institute (SSGI) Project Management Professional Certification Practice Exam

What should project managers primarily focus on to ensure project success?

1. Minimizing all future costs

2. Addressing sunk costs

3. Controlling costs, schedule, and quality

4. Focusing on human resource satisfaction

The correct answer is: Controlling costs, schedule, and quality

Project managers should primarily focus on controlling costs, schedule, and quality because these elements are fundamental to successful project management. The triple constraints model, often referred to as the project management triangle, highlights these three key areas—cost, time (schedule), and quality (scope)—as the main factors that determine project success. Effective management of these constraints ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet the required quality standards. Controlling costs involves monitoring project expenditures and ensuring that the project progresses without exceeding budgetary limits. Managing schedule requires careful planning and execution to complete tasks within the established timelines, while maintaining the quality of deliverables ensures that the project's output meets stakeholder expectations and standards. The focus on these three areas enables project managers to make informed decisions, manage risks effectively, and adapt to changes, thereby increasing the chances of overall project success. While human resource satisfaction and consideration of sunk costs are important, they are secondary to the basic project management principles that revolve around cost, schedule, and quality. This emphasizes the primary focus needed to deliver successful outcomes in project management.