PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
During a project's execution phase, you receive a change request from a stakeholder that would improve the product's performance but is not required by the original specifications. The change is estimated to add 2 weeks to the schedule and $10,000 to the budget. The project is currently on schedule and under budget. What should you do FIRST?
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
✓
Perform an impact analysis and submit the change request to the CCB
The PM should first assess the impact of the change on the project constraints (scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk) and then present the analysis to the CCB for a decision. Proceeding without approval or rejecting outright are not appropriate.
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 implement the change and adjust the project plan later
Why it's wrong here
Instructing the team to implement a change and adjust the project plan later is a direct violation of the Integrated Change Control process. The Project Manager does not possess unilateral authority to approve or implement changes without formal review and approval, typically by a Change Control Board (CCB). Bypassing this crucial governance step risks uncontrolled scope creep, unmanaged impacts on project baselines, and undermines the project's overall integrity and objectives.
- ✗
Approve the change since the project has contingency
Why it's wrong here
Approving a change simply because contingency reserves exist is an improper exercise of the Project Manager's authority and bypasses the formal change control process. While contingency reserves are managed by the PM, their presence does not negate the requirement for all change requests to undergo a thorough impact analysis and formal review. The Change Control Board (CCB) or designated authority must still approve the change based on its merits and assessed impacts, not merely the availability of funds.
- ✓
Perform an impact analysis and submit the change request to the CCB
Why this is correct
Performing an impact analysis and submitting the change request to the Change Control Board (CCB) represents the correct and most professional course of action. Upon receiving a change request, the Project Manager's primary responsibility is to evaluate its potential effects across all project constraints, including scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risks. This comprehensive analysis provides the necessary data for the CCB to make an informed, objective decision regarding the change's approval or rejection, ensuring controlled project evolution.
- ✗
Reject the change because it is out of scope
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting a change request outright because it appears to be out of scope, without performing an impact analysis, is not aligned with PMI best practices. The Integrated Change Control process mandates that all proposed changes be formally evaluated to determine their true impact and feasibility. A premature, unilateral rejection by the Project Manager deprives the Change Control Board (CCB) of essential information needed to make an objective decision and could potentially dismiss a valuable, albeit initially misperceived, improvement.
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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.