CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
You are the project manager for a construction project using a predictive plan-based methodology. The project has a detailed scope baseline approved by stakeholders. During the execution phase, a key stakeholder requests an additional feature that would require significant changes to the scope. You estimate the impact will increase the project cost by 15% and extend the schedule by three weeks. The project charter clearly defines the original scope and budget. What is the BEST course of action?
⚠ Common exam trap
CAPM often tests the misconception that a project manager can bypass formal change control if a powerful stakeholder or sponsor requests a change, or that changes should be rejected outright to protect the baseline; the correct approach is always to follow the integrated change control process.
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
✓
Analyze the impact, present it to the stakeholder, and submit a formal change request to the change control board.
In a predictive/plan-based project, the scope baseline is formally approved and any change to it must go through Integrated Change Control. The project manager's responsibility is to assess the impact of the requested change on scope, schedule, and cost, then submit a formal change request to the change control board (CCB) for a decision. Option D correctly follows this process by analyzing the impact, informing the stakeholder, and routing the request through the proper approval channel.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ask the project sponsor to authorize the change verbally and proceed.
Why it's wrong here
Verbal sponsor authorisation leaves no documented approval, so the 15% cost and three-week schedule impact enter the baselines without a formal change request or change control board review. It is tempting when speed matters, but predictive projects require written approval before implementing baseline changes.
- ✗
Implement the change immediately to satisfy the stakeholder, then document it later.
Why it's wrong here
Implementing before approval bypasses the integrated change control process, so the scope, cost and schedule baselines are altered without authorisation, and the 15% cost and three-week overrun go unapproved. It is tempting when stakeholder satisfaction feels urgent, but that approach suits adaptive methodologies with empowered teams, not predictive baselines.
- ✗
Reject the request because the scope baseline is already approved.
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting outright ignores the change control process, which exists precisely to evaluate requested scope changes against the baselines rather than refuse them. It is tempting because the baseline is approved, but that approval governs current work, not the assessment of new requests through a change request.
- ✓
Analyze the impact, present it to the stakeholder, and submit a formal change request to the change control board.
Why this is correct
In a predictive project, the approved scope baseline can only change through integrated change control. Documenting the cost and schedule impact, informing the stakeholder, and submitting a formal change request to the change control board respects that authority rather than unilaterally altering scope.
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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 PMI exam blueprint
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.