CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
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 is the first step the project manager should take?
⚠ Common exam trap
PMI often tests the misconception that a key stakeholder's request should be automatically approved or that the project manager can make unilateral decisions on scope changes, when in fact the formal change control process must always be followed regardless of stakeholder importance.
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 to the change control board
In predictive (waterfall) project management, any change that impacts scope, budget, or schedule must follow the formal integrated change control process. The project manager's first step after evaluating the impact is to submit a change request to the change control board (CCB) for approval or rejection. This ensures that all changes are documented, assessed for risks, and aligned with the project baseline before implementation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reject the change due to budget and time constraints
Why it's wrong here
Rejection is a decision, not the first step; the request must pass through perform integrated change control, where the change control board reviews the documented impact before approving or declining. It is tempting when budget and time are clearly exceeded, and outright refusal would be correct only after that formal review has taken place.
- ✓
Submit a change request to the change control board
Why this is correct
Scope changes affecting budget and schedule must pass through integrated change control before any work proceeds. Submitting the request to the change control board documents the impact assessment and obtains formal approval, satisfying the governance requirement that no baselined scope, cost or schedule is altered unapproved.
- ✗
Implement the change and document it later
Why it's wrong here
Implementing before approval bypasses the perform integrated change control process, so budget and schedule baselines are altered without authorisation and the change is never formally assessed. It is tempting when the stakeholder is influential and speed is prized, and it would suit an emergency where a pre-approved contingency reserve already covers the work.
- ✗
Approve the change because the stakeholder is key
Why it's wrong here
Approving on the stakeholder's seniority alone skips perform integrated change control, so scope grows without a change request, impact analysis or baseline update. It is tempting to preserve the relationship, and approval would be correct once the change control board has reviewed the documented impact and authorised the additional budget and time.
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