PMP Practice Question: Business Environment: strategy and project benefits
A project manager is leading a hybrid project. The sponsor requests a significant scope change that will alter the project's business case. Which THREE actions should the project manager take?
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
✓
Assess the impact of the change on the project's schedule, cost, and quality.
The correct actions are to assess the impact (B), submit a change request (D), and update the business case (C) to reflect the new scope. Option A is incorrect because the project should not proceed without approval. Option E is premature without change approval.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Instruct the team to start working on the change immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Directing the team to immediately implement an unapproved change completely bypasses the established change management process and the authority of the Change Control Board (CCB). This action constitutes unauthorized work, can lead to scope creep, misallocation of resources, and potentially jeopardize the project's baselines and overall success. All changes must follow the formal process of analysis, approval, and integration.
- ✓
Assess the impact of the change on the project's schedule, cost, and quality.
Why this is correct
Before any change can be approved or implemented, a thorough impact analysis is mandatory. This involves evaluating how the proposed scope alteration will affect the project's baseline schedule, budget, and quality requirements. Understanding these implications allows the project manager and the Change Control Board (CCB) to make an informed decision, ensuring the project's overall objectives remain achievable and risks are properly managed.
- ✓
Update the business case to reflect the new scope and benefits.
Why this is correct
A change in scope, especially one initiated by the sponsor, often alters the project's expected outcomes and value proposition. Updating the business case is crucial to re-validate the project's strategic alignment and financial viability with the new scope. This ensures that the project's continued execution is justified based on the revised benefits and costs, maintaining organizational support and resource allocation.
- ✓
Submit a change request to the change control board.
Why this is correct
Any proposed change to the project's baselines, including scope, must be formally documented and submitted as a change request. This request is then reviewed by the Change Control Board (CCB), which evaluates its impact, feasibility, and alignment with project objectives before granting approval or rejection. This structured process is fundamental to maintaining control over the project and preventing uncontrolled scope creep.
- ✗
Communicate the change to all stakeholders before approval.
Why it's wrong here
Communicating a proposed change to all stakeholders before it has been formally analyzed, approved, and integrated into the project plan is premature and can lead to significant confusion and rework. Stakeholders might act on unapproved information, causing misaligned expectations or initiating work based on a change that may ultimately be rejected. Formal communication should only occur once the change is approved and its implications are fully understood.
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