Which factor is most likely to negatively affect program cost and schedule?

Which factor is most likely to negatively affect program cost and schedule?

• A. Stable requirements with disciplined change control.
• B. Adequate funding reserves for contingencies.
• C. Unstable requirements reducing predictability in cost and schedule.
• D. Clear stakeholder engagement.

Answer: (C)

Unstable requirements introduce volatility in scope, which directly disrupts cost and schedule planning. When requirements keep changing, initial estimates become invalid, leading to scope creep, design and rework, and additional testing. Each change adds time and money and often cascades into further delays, making cost and schedule much less predictable. In contrast, stable requirements with disciplined change control provide a solid baseline for accurate cost and schedule estimates. Adequate funding reserves and clear stakeholder engagement help manage risk and keep plans on track, but they don’t inherently create the same level of volatility as frequent requirement changes. So the factor most likely to negatively affect both cost and schedule is unstable requirements.

Unstable requirements introduce volatility in scope, which directly disrupts cost and schedule planning. When requirements keep changing, initial estimates become invalid, leading to scope creep, design and rework, and additional testing. Each change adds time and money and often cascades into further delays, making cost and schedule much less predictable. In contrast, stable requirements with disciplined change control provide a solid baseline for accurate cost and schedule estimates. Adequate funding reserves and clear stakeholder engagement help manage risk and keep plans on track, but they don’t inherently create the same level of volatility as frequent requirement changes. So the factor most likely to negatively affect both cost and schedule is unstable requirements.