In Project Cost Management, which of the following combinations correctly identifies a typical input, a tool or technique, and a primary output of the Cost Control Control Costs process according to the PMBOK Guide?

Introduction / Context:
Cost Control called Control Costs in more recent PMBOK editions is the process in Project Cost Management that monitors the status of the project to update the project budget and manages changes to the cost baseline. It uses performance measurement techniques to detect cost variances early and to forecast future cost performance. Knowing the typical ITTOs for Cost Control is vital for PMP exam questions involving earned value management and budget adjustments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The knowledge area is Project Cost Management.
• The process under discussion is Cost Control or Control Costs.
• We seek one representative input, one tool or technique, and one primary output.
• A cost baseline has been approved during budgeting.
• Actual cost and progress information is available for comparison.

Concept / Approach:
Cost Control uses the cost baseline, project funding requirements, performance reports, and work performance information as key inputs. A central tool and technique is earned value analysis, which integrates scope, schedule, and cost to provide objective performance measures such as cost variance, schedule variance, and cost performance index. One of the key outputs is budget forecasts or estimate at completion, which predicts the total cost of the project based on current performance trends. Change requests are also produced when significant variances require corrective or preventive action.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the main input. The cost baseline represents the approved budget and is the reference for measuring cost performance. Step 2: Select a core tool or technique. Earned value analysis is the most widely recognised method for measuring cost and schedule performance and forecasting future costs. Step 3: Determine a primary output. Budget forecasts or revised estimates at completion are key outputs because they tell stakeholders where total costs are heading. Step 4: Choose the answer option that includes cost baseline, earned value analysis, and budget forecasts. Step 5: Verify that other options belong to scope verification, schedule control, quality control, or scope definition rather than cost control.

Verification / Alternative check:
PMBOK style tables for Control Costs list project management plan including cost baseline, project funding requirements, performance reports, and work performance information as inputs. Tools and techniques include earned value management, forecasting, to complete performance index, and performance reviews. Outputs include work performance measurements, budget forecasts, change requests, and updates to the project management plan and organizational process assets. This confirms that the combination of cost baseline, earned value analysis, and budget forecasts is a valid representation of the process.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B belongs to scope verification. Option C is closer to schedule control, using schedule baseline and variance analysis. Option D describes quality control techniques. Option E relates to creating the WBS in scope management and does not directly involve cost control.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to think that cost control only involves tracking actual spending without performing analysis or forecasting. Another mistake is to forget that earned value analysis integrates all three dimensions of the triple constraint scope, schedule, and cost. For the PMP exam, remember that Cost Control uses the cost baseline as an input, applies earned value analysis as a major technique, and produces budget forecasts and change requests as key outputs.

Final Answer:
The correct ITTO combination for Cost Control Control Costs is cost baseline; earned value analysis; budget forecasts.