- A
Release the app as scheduled and patch the defect later to avoid further delays
Why wrong: Releasing with a critical defect that could cause data loss is unacceptable and risks reputation.
- B
Submit a change request to fix the defect, assessing the impact on schedule and cost, and obtain approval
Following change control ensures the decision is informed and documented.
- C
Escalate to the sponsor and ask for a decision on whether to fix or release
Why wrong: The PM should analyze and recommend; simply escalating without analysis is not proactive.
- D
Fix the defect immediately and update the schedule without formal approval
Why wrong: Fixing without approval bypasses change control; the schedule change should be evaluated.
Question 78 of 892
PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. 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 managing a project to develop a mobile app. During the testing phase, a critical defect is found that could cause data loss. The team estimates it will take one week to fix, but the project is already two weeks behind schedule. What is the BEST course of action?
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 a change request to fix the defect, assessing the impact on schedule and cost, and obtain approval
Option B is correct because it follows the formal change control process required by the PMBOK Guide. When a critical defect is discovered that impacts the project's schedule and cost, the project manager must submit a change request to assess the impact on the triple constraint (time, cost, scope) and obtain formal approval from the change control board (CCB) before implementing the fix. This ensures that the decision is documented, risks are evaluated, and stakeholders are aligned, preventing unauthorized scope creep or schedule changes.
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.
- ✗
Release the app as scheduled and patch the defect later to avoid further delays
Why it's wrong here
Releasing with a critical defect that could cause data loss is unacceptable and risks reputation.
- ✓
Submit a change request to fix the defect, assessing the impact on schedule and cost, and obtain approval
Why this is correct
Following change control ensures the decision is informed and documented.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Escalate to the sponsor and ask for a decision on whether to fix or release
Why it's wrong here
The PM should analyze and recommend; simply escalating without analysis is not proactive.
- ✗
Fix the defect immediately and update the schedule without formal approval
Why it's wrong here
Fixing without approval bypasses change control; the schedule change should be evaluated.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Option D (fix immediately) because they think it's the fastest way to resolve a critical defect, but the PMP exam emphasizes that all changes must go through the formal change control process to maintain control over the project baseline and avoid unauthorized scope creep.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In software development, a critical defect causing data loss typically involves issues like improper transaction handling, race conditions in database writes, or missing input validation that leads to data corruption. The formal change control process ensures that the fix is properly designed, tested, and integrated into the build, preventing regression bugs. Real-world scenarios, such as the 2018 'Blue Screen of Death' bug in a major OS update, demonstrate that rushing a fix without proper change control can cause widespread system failures, emphasizing the need for impact analysis and approval.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Process — Managing Technical Aspects — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — 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 fix the defect, assessing the impact on schedule and cost, and obtain approval — Option B is correct because it follows the formal change control process required by the PMBOK Guide. When a critical defect is discovered that impacts the project's schedule and cost, the project manager must submit a change request to assess the impact on the triple constraint (time, cost, scope) and obtain formal approval from the change control board (CCB) before implementing the fix. This ensures that the decision is documented, risks are evaluated, and stakeholders are aligned, preventing unauthorized scope creep or schedule changes.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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