The answer is to assess the impact of the change on the project schedule and budget, and then submit a formal change request to the Change Control Board. This is correct because any last-minute scope change request from a stakeholder, even on a project that is on track and within budget, must follow the formal integrated change control process as defined in the PMBOK Guide. The project manager’s first duty is to evaluate the implications of the change on the triple constraint—time, cost, and scope—before escalating it for a decision. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of change control governance and the project manager’s role as a facilitator, not a decision-maker. A common trap is to assume that because the project is performing well, you can approve the change directly; instead, remember that scope creep is prevented only through disciplined process adherence. Memory tip: “Assess, then request—never approve a scope change on your chest.”
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. 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.
You are leading a project to develop a new product. The marketing department requests a last-minute change that would increase the project's scope significantly. The project is on track and within budget. Which TWO actions should the project manager take?
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
Option C is correct because any change that significantly increases scope must go through the formal change control process, even if the project is on track. The project manager must submit a change request to the Change Control Board (CCB) for evaluation and approval, ensuring proper governance and alignment with project objectives.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 because the project is on track
Why it's wrong here
Changes should be evaluated, not automatically rejected.
✗
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor
Why it's wrong here
The PM should first assess and submit a change request.
✓
Submit a change request to the change control board
Why this is correct
Formal change control is required.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Incorporate the change to satisfy the marketing department
Why it's wrong here
Implementing changes without approval bypasses change control.
✓
Assess the impact of the change on the project schedule and budget
Why this is correct
Impact analysis is needed before any decision.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
PMI often tests the misconception that a project manager can reject or approve changes based on project performance alone, rather than following the formal change control process and assessing impact first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In project management, the change control system is a documented process that defines how to manage changes to project baselines. The project manager's role is to analyze the change's impact on scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk, then submit a formal change request to the CCB for decision. This ensures that all changes are evaluated against project objectives and approved before implementation, preventing unauthorized scope creep and maintaining stakeholder alignment.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Submit a change request to the change control board — Option C is correct because any change that significantly increases scope must go through the formal change control process, even if the project is on track. The project manager must submit a change request to the Change Control Board (CCB) for evaluation and approval, ensuring proper governance and alignment with project objectives.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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