Question 422 of 500

Project Life Cycle Phases →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is to wait for the next CCB meeting to present the issue and get approval for the upgrade and database migration. This is correct because even a change control urgent security patch must follow the established change management process when the fix introduces unplanned scope, such as a database migration that impacts budget and schedule. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that the change control board’s authority overrides the urgency of a patch when the change is not pre-approved or trivial; a common trap is assuming that security risk alone justifies bypassing formal approval, but the exam emphasizes process adherence over speed. Remember the mnemonic “Patch the Plan, Not Just the Code” — always assess the full impact on scope, cost, and timeline before acting, even under pressure.

PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Phases Practice Question

This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project life cycle phases. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

A project is in the execution phase, developing a mobile payment application. The project manager receives a report that a critical security vulnerability was discovered in the third-party authentication library used by the application. The library is widely used and has an available patch that requires upgrading to a newer version. However, upgrading the library will break compatibility with the existing user authentication database schema, requiring a database migration that was not planned. The project has a fixed budget and a tight deadline. The change control board (CCB) meets weekly, and the next meeting is in three days. The lead developer recommends applying the patch immediately without waiting for CCB approval, arguing that the security risk is high and the patch is straightforward. What is the BEST course of action for the project manager?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Read the full NAT/PAT explanation →

A
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor to decide on an exception to the change control process
Why wrong: The CCB is the appropriate body for change decisions; bypassing it may be unnecessary.
B
Apply the patch immediately and inform the CCB after the fact, as security vulnerabilities require urgent action
Why wrong: Bypassing CCB approval violates change control and could lead to uncontrolled changes.
C
Do not implement the patch because the project is on a tight schedule and the risk is acceptable
Why wrong: Ignoring a critical security vulnerability is not acceptable; it could lead to major issues.
D
Wait for the next CCB meeting to present the issue and get approval for the upgrade and database migration
This follows the change control process and ensures proper assessment and approval.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

Wait for the next CCB meeting to present the issue and get approval for the upgrade and database migration

Option D is correct because the project manager must follow the established change control process, even for urgent security patches, when the change introduces an unplanned database migration that impacts scope, budget, and schedule. Waiting for the next CCB meeting (in three days) allows proper assessment of the upgrade's impact on the authentication database schema and ensures all stakeholders approve the change. Applying the patch without approval violates the change management plan and could lead to uncontrolled scope creep and budget overruns.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor to decide on an exception to the change control process
Why it's wrong here
The CCB is the appropriate body for change decisions; bypassing it may be unnecessary.
✗
Apply the patch immediately and inform the CCB after the fact, as security vulnerabilities require urgent action
Why it's wrong here
Bypassing CCB approval violates change control and could lead to uncontrolled changes.
✗
Do not implement the patch because the project is on a tight schedule and the risk is acceptable
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring a critical security vulnerability is not acceptable; it could lead to major issues.
✓
Wait for the next CCB meeting to present the issue and get approval for the upgrade and database migration
Why this is correct
This follows the change control process and ensures proper assessment and approval.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates assume security vulnerabilities always justify bypassing change control, but the PM must balance urgency with process, especially when the patch introduces an unplanned database migration that affects the fixed budget and tight deadline.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

The third-party authentication library likely handles OAuth 2.0 or OpenID Connect flows, and upgrading may alter token validation or hashing algorithms, breaking compatibility with the existing database schema that stores user credentials. A database migration would require schema changes (e.g., new columns for updated hash formats) and careful rollback planning to avoid data loss. In real-world scenarios, such as the Log4j vulnerability, immediate patching without change control caused integration failures, highlighting the need for balanced urgency and process adherence.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this PK0-005 question test?

Project Life Cycle Phases — This question tests Project Life Cycle Phases — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Wait for the next CCB meeting to present the issue and get approval for the upgrade and database migration — Option D is correct because the project manager must follow the established change control process, even for urgent security patches, when the change introduces an unplanned database migration that impacts scope, budget, and schedule. Waiting for the next CCB meeting (in three days) allows proper assessment of the upgrade's impact on the authentication database schema and ensures all stakeholders approve the change. Applying the patch without approval violates the change management plan and could lead to uncontrolled scope creep and budget overruns.

What should I do if I get this PK0-005 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "best", "immediately / without restart". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026

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