How to Answer "What Should You Do NEXT?" on PMP

NEXT Questions: A Different Challenge

"What should the project manager do NEXT?" questions differ from FIRST questions in an important way: the scenario already describes an action that has been taken. Your job is to identify the logical subsequent step. This requires understanding process sequences and the flow of information between processes.

While FIRST questions test your ability to prioritize from a standing start, NEXT questions test your understanding of process order and logical progression. You need to know what naturally follows each project management activity.

The Key to NEXT Questions: Identify Where You Are

Before you can determine the next step, you must clearly identify the current position in the process flow. Ask yourself:

1. What process or activity has just been completed?
2. What process group are we in?
3. What knowledge area is involved?
4. What is the logical next process in the sequence?

Example Walkthrough

"The project manager has completed the project charter and it has been approved by the sponsor. What should the project manager do NEXT?"

• A) Create the work breakdown structure
• B) Identify stakeholders
• C) Develop the project management plan
• D) Collect requirements

The charter has been approved, so we are in the initiating process group. The two initiating processes are Develop Project Charter and Identify Stakeholders. Since the charter is done, the next initiating process is Identify Stakeholders (B). We do not jump to planning (C and D) or detailed scope work (A) until initiation is complete.

Common Process Sequences to Know

After Charter Approval

Identify Stakeholders is the next step, followed by entering the planning process group.

After Collecting Requirements

Define Scope comes next, followed by Create WBS. Requirements feed the scope statement, which feeds the WBS.

After a Change Is Approved

Approved changes are implemented through Direct and Manage Project Work. The project management plan is updated to reflect the change, and affected baselines are revised.

After a Deliverable Is Completed

Control Quality verifies the deliverable meets requirements, then Validate Scope obtains formal acceptance from the customer.

After a Risk Is Identified

Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis to prioritize the risk, then (if warranted) Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis, then Plan Risk Responses.

Process Group Transitions

NEXT questions sometimes test your understanding of transitions between process groups:

• Initiating to Planning: After the charter and stakeholder register, develop the project management plan
• Planning to Executing: After the plan is approved, direct and manage project work
• Executing to Monitoring: Work performance data from execution feeds monitoring processes
• Any group to Closing: When all deliverables are accepted and work is complete, close the project

Avoiding Common Traps

Watch out for these mistakes on NEXT questions:

• Skipping steps: Do not jump from identification to action without analysis in between
• Repeating what was done: The scenario says something was completed — the next step is not to do it again
• Confusing knowledge areas: Stay within the relevant process flow unless the scenario explicitly indicates a cross-cutting issue
• Ignoring change control: When changes are needed, the next step is almost always to submit a change request through integrated change control

Practice Strategy

Map out the 49 processes in sequence and trace the flow between them. When you encounter a NEXT question, mentally locate yourself on that map and follow the arrow. Our practice platform provides NEXT-type questions with detailed flow explanations, and our process flow cheat sheets give you a visual reference for study.