PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
During project execution, a key stakeholder requests a change that will increase project scope by 15% but will also reduce operational costs by 20% after deployment. The project is currently on schedule and under budget. The project manager should FIRST:
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume a change with clear business value can be implemented immediately, ignoring the mandatory first step of documenting and analyzing the change request before any decision or escalation.
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 and analyze its impact on the project constraints.
Per the PMBOK Guide, the project manager must first document any change request and analyze its impact on the project constraints (scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, and risk) before any decision is made. Even though the change appears beneficial, the formal change control process requires a documented impact analysis to ensure the trade-offs are fully understood and the change is properly evaluated against the project's baselines.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implement the change as it provides clear business value.
Why it's wrong here
Implementing a change without formal process, even with perceived business value, bypasses critical governance. All changes must undergo impact analysis on all project constraints and formal approval via the Integrated Change Control process to ensure alignment with project objectives and baselines. This prevents uncontrolled scope creep and potential negative impacts on schedule, cost, and quality.
- ✗
Reject the change because it increases scope beyond the approved baseline.
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting a change solely because it increases scope is premature and neglects the comprehensive analysis required. While scope changes impact baselines, a thorough evaluation of the proposed change's benefits, risks, and overall impact on project objectives is necessary before any decision. A valuable change might justify a baseline adjustment, but this requires data-driven assessment, not immediate dismissal.
- ✓
Document the change request and analyze its impact on the project constraints.
Why this is correct
The initial and crucial step for any change request is to formally document it and meticulously analyze its potential impact across all project constraints. This includes assessing effects on scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, and risks, providing the necessary data for informed decision-making. This systematic approach ensures that all implications are understood before further action, such as presenting to a Change Control Board.
- ✗
Present the change to the Change Control Board (CCB) for approval.
Why it's wrong here
Presenting a raw change request directly to the Change Control Board (CCB) without prior documentation and impact analysis is inefficient and inappropriate. The CCB relies on comprehensive data regarding the change's implications on project baselines and objectives to make an informed approval or rejection decision. Skipping the analysis phase burdens the CCB and risks ill-considered approvals or rejections due to insufficient information.
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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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