Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPLP Practice Questions and Study Guide

A Gantt chart would be the most helpful tool in a project manager's meeting with a sponsor to define the timeline because it visually represents the project schedule, showing the start and finish dates for various elements of the project. Gantt charts allow for clear communication of timelines, illustrating the sequence of tasks, their duration, and any dependencies between them in a straightforward manner. This makes it easier for both the project manager and the sponsor to understand the timeline at a glance and make informed decisions.

While other tools, such as PERT charts and CPM charts, provide valuable insights into the project's scheduling and task interdependencies, they tend to be more complex and focused on specific aspects rather than providing an overall visual timeline. The WBS chart, on the other hand, breaks down the project into smaller components but does not inherently convey the timing and scheduling of these tasks. Therefore, the Gantt chart is the optimal choice for defining the timeline in a collaborative meeting setting.