CAPM Practice: Explain when it is appropriate to use a predictive, plan-based approach

Phase structures in predictive projects create natural management checkpoints (stage gates). At each phase boundary, management reviews deliverables, assesses performance, and formally approves continuation to the next phase. This provides governance, enables go/no-go decisions, and ensures problems in one phase are resolved before work proceeds.

**Why not B:** Phase structure does not replace the project management plan. The project management plan is still needed to define how each phase will be executed, monitored, and controlled. Phases provide governance checkpoints, but the plan provides the detailed management framework.

**Why not C:** Phases do not allow the team to change scope freely between phases. Scope changes still require formal change control regardless of phase transitions. Phase gates review current scope and performance but do not grant blanket authorization to modify scope.

**Why not D:** Ensuring team members always have work assigned is a resource management concern, not the primary benefit of phase structure. Resource planning and allocation are handled through the resource management plan, not through the phase structure of the project.