When CCB Denies Changes but Stakeholder Demands New Requirements, What Should You Do?
You are a project manager in a projectized organization. The project is nearing completion, but a key stakeholder has introduced several new requirements that were not in the original scope. The stakeholder insists these are critical for user acceptance. The project is already behind schedule and over budget. The change control board (CCB) has denied all previous change requests due to time and cost constraints. What is the best course of action?
Quick Answer
The answer is to submit a change request for the new requirements and let the CCB decide. This is correct because the change control board is the formal authority for approving or denying scope changes, regardless of stakeholder pressure or project constraints; bypassing the CCB violates the established change control process and undermines project governance. On the CAPM exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the integrated change control process and the project manager’s role as a facilitator, not a decision-maker—a common trap is assuming you can accommodate stakeholders directly to avoid conflict, but the exam emphasizes following formal procedures even when the CCB has a history of denial. Remember the memory tip: “When in doubt, route it out”—always route new requirements through the CCB to maintain control and documentation.
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 for the new requirements and let the CCB decide
The project manager must follow the established change control process. Even though the CCB has denied previous requests, it is still the proper authority to evaluate and decide on new change requests. Submitting a formal change request ensures the stakeholder's requirements are documented and evaluated against project constraints, while also protecting the project from unauthorized scope creep. Option A bypasses the CCB, option B is premature without a formal request, and option C may be seen as dismissive and does not utilize the formal process.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add the requirements to the project but delay completion to accommodate them
Why it's wrong here
Unauthorized changes lead to scope creep and are not acceptable.
- ✗
Accept the new requirements to satisfy the stakeholder and update the project plan
Why it's wrong here
This violates the change control process and could further delay the project.
- ✗
Explain to the stakeholder that changes are not possible and close the project as planned
Why it's wrong here
Dismissing without formal evaluation may cause stakeholder dissatisfaction.
- ✓
Submit a change request for the new requirements and let the CCB decide
Why this is correct
Following the established process ensures decisions are made with full impact analysis.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CAPM
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A project manager is managing a complex IT project with many inter-dependencies. During execution, a key stakeholder requests a feature that will require rework of several completed deliverables. The project manager wants to minimize disruption to the project. What is the best course of action?
hard- A.Delegate the decision to the change control board (CCB)
- ✓ B.Follow the integrated change control process to assess impact
- C.Implement the change immediately to satisfy the stakeholder
- D.Refuse the request as it will cause rework
Why B: Following the integrated change control process allows the project manager to formally assess the impact of the change on scope, schedule, cost, and quality before making a decision. This minimizes disruption by ensuring that changes are evaluated and approved through a structured process. Option A is incorrect because delegating to the CCB without analysis may bypass necessary impact assessment. Option C is incorrect because implementing immediately bypasses evaluation and risks significant disruption. Option D is incorrect because refusing without analysis ignores the possibility of a beneficial change and may damage stakeholder relationships.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI 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 CAPM exam.