CAPM Practice Question: Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
During project execution, a key stakeholder requests a significant change that will increase project scope. The project manager performs an impact analysis and determines that the change will delay the project by two weeks and increase costs by 10%. However, the change is critical for regulatory compliance. What should the project manager do first?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume a critical compliance need automatically justifies bypassing the change control process, but the CAPM exam strictly tests adherence to formal procedures regardless of urgency.
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 the change request to the change control board (CCB).
The correct first step is to submit the change request to the change control board (CCB) because, in formal project management, any change that impacts scope, schedule, or cost must go through the integrated change control process. Even though the change is critical for regulatory compliance, the project manager cannot unilaterally approve or reject it; the CCB has the authority to evaluate the impact analysis and make the final decision.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Approve the change because it is critical for compliance.
Why it's wrong here
The project manager lacks authority to approve changes unilaterally; approval rests with the change control board or sponsor. Regulatory criticality tempts teams to treat compliance as automatic authorisation. The correct first step is submitting the change request and impact analysis for the board's decision.
- ✗
Reject the change because it will delay the project and increase costs.
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting outright ignores that the change is required for regulatory compliance and removes the board's decision. It tempts teams protecting the baseline from cost and schedule variance. The project manager should instead submit the change request and impact analysis to the change control board for evaluation.
- ✓
Submit the change request to the change control board (CCB).
Why this is correct
Because the change alters scope, schedule, and cost, it must follow integrated change control. Submitting the request to the change control board lets that authority evaluate the impact analysis and regulatory necessity before any baseline is updated.
- ✗
Implement the change and request approval after.
Why it's wrong here
Implementing first bypasses the integrated change control process, so the change proceeds without the CCB's authorisation. It tempts teams treating regulatory urgency as grounds to act immediately. The project manager should submit the change request and impact analysis to the change control board for a decision.
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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.