The correct first step is to analyze the impact on the project schedule and cost, then submit a change request. This sequence is critical because the change control process requires a thorough impact analysis before any formal documentation or approval can occur; without understanding how a delay affects the critical path and budget, the project manager cannot accurately inform stakeholders or justify the change. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this question tests your grasp of the integrated change control workflow, where a common trap is jumping straight to updating the project plan or notifying the sponsor before analyzing the full scope of the impact. Remember the memory tip: "Analyze first, request second" — always assess the schedule and cost ripple effects before you submit the formal change request to initiate the control board review.
PK0-005 Project Management Concepts Practice Question
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project management concepts. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
During project execution, a team member reports that a key deliverable will be delayed by two weeks due to an unforeseen technical issue. The project manager evaluates the change and determines the impact on the critical path. According to best practices, what should the project manager do first?
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: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Analyze the impact on the project schedule and cost, then submit a change request.
Option C is correct because, upon identifying a delay that impacts the critical path, the project manager must first analyze the full impact on schedule and cost before formally documenting the change. Submitting a change request initiates the formal change control process, ensuring that all stakeholders review and approve adjustments before any plan updates or actions are taken. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's integrated change control process, which requires impact analysis as the first step after identifying a potential change.
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.
✗
Update the project plan and inform stakeholders after the delay occurs.
Why it's wrong here
Stakeholders should be informed early, and a change request should be made before updating plans.
✗
Tell the team member to work overtime to meet the original deadline.
Why it's wrong here
This ignores the issue and does not follow change management.
✓
Analyze the impact on the project schedule and cost, then submit a change request.
Why this is correct
Standard change control process: assess impact, then request change.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Immediately inform the sponsor and request a budget increase.
Why it's wrong here
This jumps to action without proper analysis and change control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'immediate communication' (Option D) with the correct first step, failing to recognize that formal impact analysis and a change request must precede any stakeholder notification or budget requests.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In project management, the critical path determines the shortest possible project duration; any delay on a critical path activity directly extends the project finish date. The change control process typically involves a change control board (CCB) that reviews impact analyses on scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk before approving any changes. A real-world scenario might involve a software development project where an unforeseen API incompatibility delays a critical integration; the project manager must quantify the delay's effect on the release date and additional testing costs before submitting a formal change request to the CCB.
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.
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Analyze the impact on the project schedule and cost, then submit a change request. — Option C is correct because, upon identifying a delay that impacts the critical path, the project manager must first analyze the full impact on schedule and cost before formally documenting the change. Submitting a change request initiates the formal change control process, ensuring that all stakeholders review and approve adjustments before any plan updates or actions are taken. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's integrated change control process, which requires impact analysis as the first step after identifying a potential change.
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", "first". 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This PK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PK0-005 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.