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

Introduction / Context:
Perform Quality Assurance is the executing process in Project Quality Management that focuses on evaluating overall project performance on a regular basis to provide confidence that the project will satisfy relevant quality standards. It emphasizes process adherence and continuous improvement rather than inspection of individual deliverables. Understanding the ITTOs for Perform Quality Assurance helps differentiate it from both Quality Planning and Perform Quality Control in the PMBOK framework.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The knowledge area is Project Quality Management.
• The process under discussion is Perform Quality Assurance.
• We want one representative input, one tool or technique, and one primary output.
• A quality management plan and process improvement plan have been produced during planning.
• The project is in execution, and there is a need to audit processes and improve them.

Concept / Approach:
Perform Quality Assurance uses inputs such as the quality management plan, process improvement plan, quality metrics, and quality control measurements. A central tool and technique is the quality audit, where an independent team reviews project activities to see whether they comply with organizational and project specific quality policies, processes, and procedures. Outputs often include updates to the process improvement plan, recommended corrective actions, change requests, and updates to organizational process assets, as lessons learned and best practices are captured.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify an appropriate input. The quality management plan is the main reference document that describes quality standards and how they should be applied. Step 2: Select a key tool or technique. Quality audits are signature activities in Perform Quality Assurance and are specifically named in PMBOK. Step 3: Determine a primary output. Updates to the process improvement plan encapsulate the learning from audits and drive better performance going forward. Step 4: Choose the answer option that includes quality management plan, quality audits, and process improvement plan updates. Step 5: Confirm that other options refer to scope verification, cost control, schedule development, or scope control rather than quality assurance.

Verification / Alternative check:
In PMBOK style descriptions, Perform Quality Assurance lists quality management plan, process improvement plan, quality metrics, and work performance information as inputs. Tools and techniques include quality audits and process analysis. Outputs include change requests, updates to project management plan, updates to quality management plan and process improvement plan, and updates to organizational process assets. This confirms that the combination used in the correct option is consistent with the process.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B describes scope verification. Option C deals with cost control. Option D belongs to schedule planning. Option E relates more to control scope than to quality assurance. None of these sets captures the emphasis on audits and process improvement central to Perform Quality Assurance.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent misunderstanding is to treat quality assurance as synonymous with quality control; however, quality assurance is about improving and auditing processes, while quality control is about measuring specific deliverables. Another pitfall is to think of quality audits as punitive, when in project management they are intended to be supportive and focused on learning. For exam purposes, link Perform Quality Assurance with the quality management plan as input, quality audits as a tool, and updated process improvement plans and change requests as key outputs.

Final Answer:
The correct ITTO combination for Perform Quality Assurance is quality management plan; quality audits; process improvement plan updates.