PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
During a project status meeting, an executive stakeholder interrupts and instructs a team member to change a deliverable without going through change control. The team member looks to you for guidance. What should you do?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers choose Option B or C, thinking it is more diplomatic to avoid confrontation, but the PMP exam tests your ability to enforce the change control process in real time to protect project integrity and provide clear guidance to the team.
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
✓
Politely interrupt the executive and explain that changes must go through the formal change control process, then schedule a meeting to discuss the request
The project manager must uphold the change control process to protect the project's scope, schedule, and budget. By politely interrupting the executive and explaining the need for formal change control, you demonstrate leadership and adherence to the PMBOK Guide's principles. Scheduling a follow-up meeting ensures the request is properly evaluated through the integrated change control process, preventing unauthorized changes that could lead to scope creep.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Politely interrupt the executive and explain that changes must go through the formal change control process, then schedule a meeting to discuss the request
Why this is correct
This is the correct approach because it immediately upholds project governance and the formal change control process, which is critical for maintaining project baselines. By politely interrupting and explaining the process, the project manager demonstrates proactive leadership and prevents unauthorized work from commencing, while also respecting the executive's input by scheduling a dedicated discussion. This action ensures all changes are properly evaluated for their impact on scope, schedule, and budget.
- ✗
Note the request and discuss it with the executive after the meeting
Why it's wrong here
Noting the request and discussing it with the executive after the meeting is insufficient because it creates a delay during which the team member might interpret the executive's instruction as a direct order and begin unauthorized work. This inaction by the project manager fails to immediately assert control over the project's scope and can lead to unmanaged changes, jeopardizing the project's integrity and increasing the risk of scope creep.
- ✗
Send an email to the executive after the meeting explaining the change control process
Why it's wrong here
Sending an email to the executive after the meeting explaining the change control process is a delayed and indirect response that does not immediately address the potential for unauthorized work. An email lacks the urgency and directness required to prevent a team member from acting on an executive's instruction in real-time. This approach allows for a period of ambiguity where the project's scope could be compromised before formal procedures are reinforced.
- ✗
Allow the team member to follow the executive's instruction to maintain stakeholder satisfaction
Why it's wrong here
Allowing the team member to follow the executive's instruction directly, without formal change control, is a critical error that prioritizes immediate stakeholder satisfaction over project governance and control. Bypassing the established change control process inevitably leads to scope creep, unmanaged risks, budget overruns, and schedule delays, ultimately undermining the project manager's authority and significantly increasing the likelihood of project failure, despite initial stakeholder appeasement.
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.
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