Change Request Process for Scope Changes: Submit to CCB
Your project uses a hybrid approach with a fixed-price contract. Midway through, the client requests a significant scope change that would increase project duration by two months. The project manager has assessed the impact and believes the change is beneficial. However, the sponsor is reluctant because of the schedule extension. What should the project manager do?
Quick Answer
The correct choice is to prepare a change request with impact analysis and submit it to the CCB for approval. This is because in a hybrid project with a fixed-price contract, any scope change that affects schedule or cost must follow the formal change control process to maintain contractual integrity and prevent scope creep. The project manager’s role is to document the full impact analysis—including benefits and schedule extension—so the Change Control Board can make an informed decision, especially when the sponsor is reluctant. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the integrated change control process under a hybrid approach, where both predictive and adaptive elements require a documented audit trail. A common trap is to assume the project manager can decide alone or negotiate directly with the sponsor, but the CCB holds final authority for scope changes affecting fixed-price terms. Memory tip: “Scope shift? Submit to CCB for the lift.”
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume the project manager can unilaterally accept a beneficial change or negotiate directly with the client, ignoring the formal change control process required by the hybrid approach and fixed-price contract constraints.
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
✓
Prepare a change request with impact analysis and submit it to the CCB for approval.
In a hybrid project with a fixed-price contract, any scope change must follow the formal change control process. The project manager has assessed the change as beneficial, but the sponsor's reluctance requires a documented impact analysis to enable an informed decision by the Change Control Board (CCB). Submitting a formal change request ensures contractual compliance, protects against scope creep, and provides a clear audit trail, which is critical when the schedule extension affects fixed-price terms.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Prepare a change request with impact analysis and submit it to the CCB for approval.
Why this is correct
This follows the formal change control process, allowing informed decision-making.
- ✗
Negotiate with the client to drop another requirement to keep the schedule.
Why it's wrong here
Trade-offs should be part of a formal change request, not a side negotiation.
- ✗
Accept the change informally and adjust the schedule to accommodate it.
Why it's wrong here
Informal acceptance bypasses the change control process and contractual obligations.
- ✗
Reject the request because it will delay the project and risk penalties.
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting without formal assessment and decision is not the proper change control procedure.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Change Control Process
A formal, structured procedure used to manage any changes to a project's scope, schedule, budget, or requirements, ensuring every modification is reviewed, approved, tested, and documented before implementation.
About these practice questions
One of 800 original PMP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on PMP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your project is using a hybrid approach. A key stakeholder requests a significant scope change that would affect the critical path. The change request has been submitted and approved. What should the project manager do next?
medium- A.Wait until the next sprint planning to introduce the change to the team
- B.Notify the sponsor and update the risk register
- C.Inform the team about the change and ask them to adjust their work accordingly
- ✓ D.Update the project management plan and baselines to reflect the approved change
Why D: In a hybrid project, once a scope change is approved, the project manager must update the project management plan and baselines (scope, schedule, cost) to formally integrate the change. This ensures all future work aligns with the new approved scope and maintains traceability. Option D is correct because it follows the Perform Integrated Change Control process, which requires updating the plan and baselines before implementation.
Variation 2. Arrange the steps for controlling project changes.
medium- ✓ A.Receive change request, Log change request, Evaluate change request, Submit to CCB, Implement if approved
- B.Log change request, Receive change request, Evaluate change request, Submit to CCB, Implement if approved
- C.Receive change request, Evaluate change request, Log change request, Submit to CCB, Implement if approved
- D.Receive change request, Log change request, Submit to CCB, Evaluate change request, Implement if approved
Why A: Change control process: receive, log, evaluate, submit to CCB, and implement if approved.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PMP 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 PMP exam.