Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a step in developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

1. Conducting a market analysis

2. Estimating project costs

3. Determining tasks and milestones

4. Researching team member backgrounds

The correct answer is: Determining tasks and milestones

Determining tasks and milestones is a fundamental step in developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). The WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work required to accomplish the project objectives and create the deliverables. By identifying the specific tasks and milestones, project managers can better organize work, allocate resources, and schedule activities, which ultimately leads to more effective project planning and execution. This process also helps in visualizing the project scope and clarifying roles and responsibilities among team members. The other options, while relevant to project management, do not directly relate to the core purpose of creating a WBS. Conducting a market analysis pertains to understanding the external factors impacting the project, estimating project costs relates to budgeting, and researching team member backgrounds deals with human resource management. These activities may support project success but are separate from the structured task identification and milestone setting that defines the WBS.