This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of predictive plan-based methodologies. 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.
During project execution, a key stakeholder requests a change that will increase the project scope. The project manager evaluates the impact and determines it will require additional budget and time. 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: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Implement the change and update the project plan
Why wrong: Changes must be approved before implementation.
Submit a change request to the change control board
Formal change request is the first step.
Update the project baseline immediately
Why wrong: Baseline update requires approval.
Reject the change because it impacts the baseline
Why wrong: Rejection without formal process is not proper.
Answer choices
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 to the change control board
In predictive (waterfall) project management, any change that impacts scope, budget, or schedule must follow a formal change control process. The project manager first assesses the impact, then submits a change request to the Change Control Board (CCB) for approval before any action is taken. Implementing the change or updating baselines without CCB approval violates the control scope process defined in the PMBOK Guide.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Implement the change and update the project plan
Why it's wrong here
Changes must be approved before implementation.
Submit a change request to the change control board
Why this is correct
Formal change request is the first step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Update the project baseline immediately
Why it's wrong here
Baseline update requires approval.
Reject the change because it impacts the baseline
Why it's wrong here
Rejection without formal process is not proper.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates assume the project manager has the authority to approve or reject changes that impact baselines, but in predictive methodologies, only the CCB can make that decision after a formal change request is submitted.
Detailed technical explanation
The Perform Integrated Change Control process (PMBOK 4.6) mandates that all change requests be reviewed by the CCB, which has authority to approve, reject, or defer changes. The project manager acts as the evaluator and submitter, not the decision-maker. In real-world scenarios, skipping the CCB can lead to scope creep, budget overruns, and audit failures, especially in regulated industries like healthcare or finance where baselines are contractually binding.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CAPM exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — This question tests Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Submit a change request to the change control board — In predictive (waterfall) project management, any change that impacts scope, budget, or schedule must follow a formal change control process. The project manager first assesses the impact, then submits a change request to the Change Control Board (CCB) for approval before any action is taken. Implementing the change or updating baselines without CCB approval violates the control scope process defined in the PMBOK Guide.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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