The answer is to update the project management plan and communicate the change to relevant stakeholders. After an approved change request affecting the critical path, the project manager must first integrate the change into the formal project baselines—such as the schedule and cost baselines—by updating the project management plan, then immediately notify all impacted parties to ensure alignment and prevent rework. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Perform Integrated Change Control process and the distinction between updating documents versus executing the change; a common trap is selecting “implement the change” too early, but implementation occurs only after the plan is updated and communicated. Remember the mnemonic “U and C” for Update and Communicate—never skip informing stakeholders after a critical path adjustment, as it directly impacts dependencies and resource availability.
PMP Practice Question: Business Environment: strategy and project benefits
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of business environment: strategy and project benefits. 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.
A project manager is leading a project that has a change request that would affect the critical path. The change request has been approved. Which TWO actions should the PM take next?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update the project management plan to reflect the approved change
Option B and C are correct because after approval, the PM must update the project management plan and communicate the changes. Option A is incomplete, D is not a direct action for this change, E may be part of plan but not immediate.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Update the lessons learned repository
Why it's wrong here
Lessons learned are captured throughout the project, but this is not the next immediate action.
✗
Implement the change immediately
Why it's wrong here
Implementation should be done after updating plans and communicating.
✓
Update the project management plan to reflect the approved change
Why this is correct
The PM must update all relevant baselines and plans.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Update the change log only
Why it's wrong here
While the change log should be updated, it is not sufficient; the plan must also be updated.
✓
Communicate the change to relevant stakeholders
Why this is correct
Stakeholders need to be informed of approved changes.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PMP NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Business Environment: strategy and project benefits — This question tests Business Environment: strategy and project benefits — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Update the project management plan to reflect the approved change — Option B and C are correct because after approval, the PM must update the project management plan and communicate the changes. Option A is incomplete, D is not a direct action for this change, E may be part of plan but not immediate.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PMP NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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