CAPM Practice: Demonstrate an understanding of a project management plan schedule

A contractually imposed deadline is an external constraint — a hard requirement from outside the project that the schedule must accommodate. Unlike discretionary constraints (which can be adjusted), external constraints from contracts or regulations are non-negotiable and must be built into the project plan from the beginning.

**Why not B:** A contractually imposed deadline is not a discretionary dependency. Discretionary dependencies are based on team preference or best practice and can be adjusted. A client contract deadline is a hard, non-negotiable external constraint that the project must accommodate.

**Why not C:** While there may be uncertainty about whether the deadline is achievable, the deadline itself is a constraint, not an assumption. Assumptions are factors believed to be true for planning purposes. A contractual deadline is a documented, binding requirement — not something that "may or may not" apply.

**Why not D:** While the deadline could theoretically change through contract renegotiation, it is classified as a constraint, not a risk. A risk is an uncertain event that may occur. The deadline is a known, documented obligation that must be incorporated into the schedule as a hard constraint.