CAPM Life Cycles, Approaches and Ethics Practice Questions

The first fundamentals task covers the vocabulary the rest of the exam builds on: what a project is, which life cycle fits, the difference between issues, risks, assumptions and constraints, and how PMI’s Code of Ethics applies. Practice original questions with an explanation for every option.

Take the full timed CAPM practice exam

150 questions on the real 3-hour clock, weighted to PMI’s four domains, with the optional break after question 75, a score by domain and topic, and an explanation for every option.

Or try the free life cycles drill
  • 34 original life cycles questions, every option explained
  • Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts (36% of the exam)
  • ECO tasks: I-1 Demonstrate an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes
Free sample · Question 1 of 3Fundamentals · Life cycles

A company builds a new warehouse with a fixed construction plan, while the warehouse management software is developed in two-week sprints with user feedback. How is this approach described?

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What our life cycles questions cover

  • Telling a project from a program, a portfolio and ongoing operations
  • Predictive, iterative, incremental, adaptive and hybrid life cycles, and the phases of a project
  • Telling issues, risks, assumptions and constraints apart, and where each is recorded
  • Reviewing a project scope statement for gaps, exclusions and vague requirements
  • Applying PMI’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct: responsibility, respect, fairness and honesty
  • Projects as vehicles for change: moving an organization from a current state to a future state
Line drawing of a two-pan balance scale beside a paper strip with four linked circles, a stack of books and a small plant

This list is our own summary of the tasks, written for practice. PMI publishes the full task statements and enablers in the CAPM Examination Content Outline.

Drill life cycles, then sit the full exam

Take the full timed CAPM practice exam

150 questions on the real 3-hour clock, weighted to PMI’s four domains, with the optional break after question 75, a score by domain and topic, and an explanation for every option.

Or try the free life cycles drill

Ideas the questions test most

  1. A project is temporary and creates a unique product, service or result. Operations are ongoing and repetitive. A program is a group of related projects managed together for benefits; a portfolio is a collection of projects, programs and operations managed to reach strategic objectives.
  2. A risk is an uncertain future event; an issue is a problem happening now; an assumption is something taken as true without proof; a constraint is a limit on the options, such as a fixed budget or deadline.
  3. Predictive life cycles fix scope early and plan in detail up front. Iterative cycles refine the product through repeated cycles, incremental cycles deliver it in usable pieces, and adaptive (agile) cycles combine both in short iterations.
  4. The four values of PMI’s Code of Ethics are responsibility, respect, fairness and honesty. Conflicts of interest are disclosed, and the project manager reports truthfully even when the news is bad.

Start the free life cycles drill · Fundamentals domain drill · Full 150-question practice exam

Common questions

What is the difference between a project and operations?

A project is temporary, with a defined start and end, and produces something unique. Operations are the ongoing, repetitive work that keeps the organization running, such as payroll or a help desk. A project often hands its result over to operations at closure.

Is the PMI Code of Ethics on the CAPM exam?

Yes. The first fundamentals task includes applying the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to scenarios. Its four values are responsibility, respect, fairness and honesty.

Take the full timed CAPM practice exam

150 questions on the real 3-hour clock, weighted to PMI’s four domains, with the optional break after question 75, a score by domain and topic, and an explanation for every option.

Or try the free life cycles drill

More CAPM topics

Domains, tasks and exam format: PMI: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Examination Content Outline, 2023 Exam Update · PMI: CAPM certification page (exam length, time, domains, eligibility, retakes), checked November 2026.

CAPM®, PMP®, PMI® and PMBOK® are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc. Game Assessment Prep is an independent practice site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or an Authorized Training Partner of the Project Management Institute (PMI). Every question is original; none is taken from PMI materials, the CAPM exam or another prep provider.