- A
Assess the impact of the new feature on scope, schedule, and cost in preparation for a formal change request
Even if bypassed, the PM should be prepared to handle the change properly.
- B
Immediately escalate the issue to the project sponsor
Why wrong: Escalation should be a last resort after direct communication fails.
- C
Tell the team to ignore the executive's request
Why wrong: The team should not ignore a senior stakeholder; the PM should handle the situation directly.
- D
Meet privately with the executive to explain the impact of bypassing the change control process and request that all changes go through you
This addresses the root cause and reinforces proper channels.
- E
Ask the team to implement the feature as requested by the executive
Why wrong: This violates change control and undermines the project manager's authority.
Quick Answer
The answer is to meet privately with the executive to explain the impact of bypassing the change control process and request that all changes go through you, and then assess the requested feature through the formal change control process. These two actions are correct because the Project Management Professional PMP exam emphasizes that a project manager must protect the integrity of the change control system and address stakeholder violations directly but diplomatically. When an executive bypasses the project manager and gives direct orders to the team, it undermines the defined communication protocols and risks scope creep, so the PM must first have a private, respectful conversation to reinforce the chain of command, then formally evaluate the new feature’s impact on cost, schedule, and resources. This scenario tests your ability to balance stakeholder management with process adherence, a common trap where candidates either escalate too quickly or implement the change without approval. Remember the mnemonic “Private then Process” — always address the behavior privately before engaging the formal change control procedure.
PMP Practice Question: Business Environment: strategy and project benefits
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of business environment: strategy and project benefits. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Your project is in the execution phase when an executive stakeholder bypasses you and gives direct orders to the team to add a new feature. This feature is not in the scope. Which TWO actions should you take?
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
Assess the impact of the new feature on scope, schedule, and cost in preparation for a formal change request
Options A and B are correct. The PM should address the stakeholder's behavior privately to clarify the communication protocol and assess the impact of the requested feature through the change control process. Option C is wrong because implementing without approval bypasses change control. Option D is wrong because the PM should not escalate without first addressing the issue directly. Option E is wrong because the team should not follow unofficial instructions.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Assess the impact of the new feature on scope, schedule, and cost in preparation for a formal change request
Why this is correct
Even if bypassed, the PM should be prepared to handle the change properly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Immediately escalate the issue to the project sponsor
Why it's wrong here
Escalation should be a last resort after direct communication fails.
- ✗
Tell the team to ignore the executive's request
Why it's wrong here
The team should not ignore a senior stakeholder; the PM should handle the situation directly.
- ✓
Meet privately with the executive to explain the impact of bypassing the change control process and request that all changes go through you
Why this is correct
This addresses the root cause and reinforces proper channels.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ask the team to implement the feature as requested by the executive
Why it's wrong here
This violates change control and undermines the project manager's authority.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
The team should not ignore a senior stakeholder; the PM should handle the situation directly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Business Environment: strategy and project benefits — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
Business Environment: strategy and project benefits — This question tests Business Environment: strategy and project benefits — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Assess the impact of the new feature on scope, schedule, and cost in preparation for a formal change request — Options A and B are correct. The PM should address the stakeholder's behavior privately to clarify the communication protocol and assess the impact of the requested feature through the change control process. Option C is wrong because implementing without approval bypasses change control. Option D is wrong because the PM should not escalate without first addressing the issue directly. Option E is wrong because the team should not follow unofficial instructions.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 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. A project manager is leading a hybrid project. An executive stakeholder bypasses the PM and gives direct orders to the development team. What should the PM do?
easy- A.Report the executive's behavior to the sponsor
- B.Update the communications management plan to include reporting requirements
- ✓ C.Have a private conversation with the executive to explain the impact of bypassing the PM and request they communicate through the proper channels
- D.Tell the team to ignore the executive's orders
Why C: Option A is correct because communication and stakeholder management are key. Option B escalates without conversation, option C ignores the issue, option D may not resolve the root cause.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.
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