PK0-005 Project Life Cycle Practice Question
During project execution, a team member proposes a change that will affect the scope baseline. What is the first step the project manager should take?
⚠ Common exam trap
PK0-005 often tests the order of change control steps, and candidates may incorrectly jump to informing the CCB or updating the plan before submitting a formal change request, which is always the first step.
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
✓
Submit a change request
When a change is proposed that will affect the scope baseline, the project manager should first ensure that a formal change request is submitted. This documents the proposed change, its impact, and justification, and initiates the integrated change control process. Only after the change request is created should it be reviewed by the change control board (CCB) or other approvers.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Inform the change control board
Why it's wrong here
Escalating to the change control board skips documenting the request and assessing its impact on scope, schedule and cost, which must precede board review. It is tempting because the board is the body that approves baseline changes, so it would be the correct destination once the request has been formally logged and analysed.
- ✓
Submit a change request
Why this is correct
Any change affecting the scope baseline must pass through Integrated Change Control, so the project manager's first action is documenting and submitting a formal change request. Approval by the change control board follows; implementing the change beforehand bypasses governance and invalidates the baseline.
- ✗
Update the project management plan
Why it's wrong here
Updating the project management plan amends the baseline before the change has been approved, so it inverts the process and corrupts the approved scope. It is tempting because implementation does eventually require plan updates, but that step follows approval, not the initial receipt of a proposed change.
- ✗
Deny the change
Why it's wrong here
Denying outright bypasses the integrated change control process, which requires the request to be documented and evaluated before any accept-or-reject decision. It is tempting because a scope-baseline change is disruptive and the manager may want to protect the baseline, but rejection is a valid outcome only after assessment, not the first step.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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