PgMP Practice Questions #8
As a program manager, you are preparing to transition your program to the next phase. Which of the following actions would best support obtaining authorization to proceed?
A. Conduct a stakeholder survey to gather feedback on program progress
B. Obtain approvals through a stage gate review by presenting the program status to governance authorities
C. Complete a final performance evaluation and submit a summary to the sponsor
D. Request component managers to submit individual project updates
Analysis of Options
Option A: Conduct a stakeholder survey to gather feedback on program progress. While conducting a stakeholder survey can provide valuable insights into program progress, it does not directly support obtaining formal authorization to transition to the next phase. Surveys are often used for gathering feedback, assessing stakeholder satisfaction, or making adjustments, but they are not central to phase transition approval within program governance. Therefore, while beneficial, this action does not fulfill the requirement for formal authorization.
Option B: Obtain approvals through a stage gate review by presenting the program status to governance authorities. This option aligns directly with program governance practices. A stage gate review is a formal process used in program governance to assess program status and determine readiness to move to the next phase. By presenting the program’s current status to governance authorities, the program manager seeks the required approval to proceed, following established governance protocols. This action provides a structured, authorized method to obtain the necessary approvals, making it the most suitable approach.
Option C: Complete a final performance evaluation and submit a summary to the sponsor. A final performance evaluation typically occurs at the program’s closure rather than at a phase transition. Submitting a summary to the sponsor is informative but does not constitute a formal approval process for phase progression. Since the question is about transitioning to the next phase, which requires formal authorization, a performance evaluation summary alone does not meet this requirement.
Option D: Request component managers to submit individual project updates. Gathering individual project updates from component managers could provide information needed for a phase transition review, but it does not directly obtain the required authorization. This step may be part of the data collection process for a stage gate review but is not a substitute for the formal approval process. A structured governance process, like a stage gate review, is needed to formally authorize the transition.
Conclusion
The most appropriate answer is Option B: Obtain approvals through a stage gate review by presenting the program status to governance authorities. This action aligns with the Program Management Standard (Fifth Edition), which specifies that transitioning to the next phase requires formal approval through a structured governance process. Conducting a stage gate review ensures that the program is evaluated comprehensively, meeting governance requirements for authorization to proceed.
PgMP Certification Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| Governance | Task 3: Obtain authorization(s) and approval(s) through stage gate reviews by presenting the program status to governance authorities to proceed to the next phase of the program. |
Topics Covered
- Phase Transition in Program Management
- Program Governance and Stage Gate Reviews
- Authorization and Approval Processes
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