You are the project manager of the NHQ project. This project deals with a new technology that
your company has never used before. You have petitioned the management to hire a consultant to
help you and the project team to create the WBS, the activity list, and complete the duration
estimates. The management is concerned about the costs of the consultant, but agrees to your
request because of the nature of this new work. The consultant can best be described as what
type of resource for this project?

A.
Direct expense

B.
External requirement

C.
Temporary resource

D.
Expert judgment

Explanation:
The consultant is an example of expert judgment, as he is helping you and the project team to
create the project elements. Expert judgment is a technique based on a set of criteria that has
been acquired in a specific knowledge area or product area. It is obtained when the project
manager or project team requires specialized knowledge that they do not possess. Expert
judgment involves people most familiar with the work of creating estimates. Preferably, the project
team member who will be doing the task should complete the estimates. Expert judgment is
applied when performing administrative closure activities, and experts should ensure the project or
phase closure is performed to the appropriate standards.
Answer option A is incorrect. The consultant may be considered a direct expense because the
fees can only be assigned to your project work, but this is not the best choice for the question.
Answer option B is incorrect. An external requirement is not a valid choice for this question.

Answer option C is incorrect. A temporary resource is not a valid project management term.