PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
During project execution, a key stakeholder requests a change that will increase the scope. The project manager follows the formal change control process. What is the first step the project manager should take?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that many candidates mistakenly believe impact analysis is the first step, but the PMBOK Guide explicitly requires documentation first to ensure all changes are captured before any evaluation begins.
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
✓
Document the change request in the change log.
The first step in the formal change control process, as defined by the PMBOK Guide, is to document the change request in the change log. This ensures that all proposed changes are formally recorded and tracked before any analysis or approval activities occur. Without this initial documentation, there is no official record of the request, which undermines the integrity of the change control system.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Communicate the change to the project team.
Why it's wrong here
Communicating an unvetted change request directly to the project team is premature and can lead to confusion or misdirected effort. Before any team-wide communication, the change request must first be formally documented, analyzed for its impacts, and then approved by the appropriate authority, such as the Change Control Board. Only after approval should the team be informed of the approved change and its implications for their work.
- ✗
Submit the change request to the change control board (CCB).
Why it's wrong here
Submitting a change request directly to the Change Control Board (CCB) without prior documentation and impact analysis is an incorrect sequence of steps. The CCB's role is to review well-defined change requests, along with their thoroughly assessed impacts on project baselines and objectives. Presenting an unanalyzed request would hinder their ability to make an informed decision, requiring the project manager to complete these essential preceding steps first.
- ✓
Document the change request in the change log.
Why this is correct
Documenting the change request in the change log is the essential first step when a stakeholder initiates a change. This action formally captures the request, ensuring it is recorded, tracked, and provides a clear reference point for all subsequent actions. Formal documentation is critical for maintaining control, preventing misunderstandings, and establishing a baseline for the necessary impact analysis and eventual decision-making process.
- ✗
Analyze the impact on the project constraints.
Why it's wrong here
Analyzing the impact on project constraints, while a critical step in change management, cannot be effectively performed before the change request itself is formally documented. Without a clear, written description of the requested change and its specific requirements, any impact analysis would be speculative and potentially incomplete. Documentation provides the necessary foundation and clarity for a thorough and accurate assessment of its effects on scope, schedule, cost, and quality.
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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