HKSM
Constraint
A restriction or condition that limits how a project, program, portfolio, or process can be carried out.
Key Points
- Constraints cap or limit elements such as scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, or risk.
- They can be internal (policies, budget caps, resource limits) or external (laws, regulations, contracts, market deadlines).
- Identify and document constraints early (e.g., in the charter) and refine them during planning and baseline development.
- Changes to one constraint often affect others, requiring trade-offs and formal change control.
Example
A project must launch by June 30 due to a regulatory deadline and cannot exceed a $500,000 budget. The team reduces noncritical features and phases the rollout to meet the fixed date and cost limits.
PMP Example Question
A sponsor mandates that the product go live by June 30 and total spending must not exceed $500,000. What does this represent?
- Risk
- Assumption
- Constraint
- Dependency
Correct Answer: C — Constraint
Explanation: A fixed deadline and budget ceiling are limiting factors that restrict how the project can be executed, which defines a constraint.
