- A
Reject the change because it introduces additional risk
Why wrong: Rejecting without analysis is not appropriate; the change may be beneficial after mitigation.
- B
Document the change request and submit it through the change control process
Formal documentation and submission are required steps.
- C
Analyze the impact of the change on scope, schedule, cost, and risk
Assessing impact is necessary before making a decision.
- D
Accept the change because it adds value to the project
Why wrong: Accepting without assessing impact bypasses change control and due diligence.
- E
Update the project baseline to include the new scope
Why wrong: Baseline updates require change control approval first.
Question 759 of 892
First Step in the Formal Change Control Process
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
You are managing a project where a key stakeholder requests a scope change that would add significant value but also increase risk and cost. Which TWO actions should you take FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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 submit it through the change control process
Option B is correct because the PMBOK Guide requires that all scope changes be formally documented and submitted through the change control process, regardless of perceived value. This ensures traceability, stakeholder alignment, and proper evaluation before any action is taken. Option C is correct because analyzing the impact on scope, schedule, cost, and risk is a mandatory step within the integrated change control process to inform the decision-making body (e.g., CCB).
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.
- ✗
Reject the change because it introduces additional risk
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting without analysis is not appropriate; the change may be beneficial after mitigation.
- ✓
Document the change request and submit it through the change control process
Why this is correct
Formal documentation and submission are required steps.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Analyze the impact of the change on scope, schedule, cost, and risk
Why this is correct
Assessing impact is necessary before making a decision.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Accept the change because it adds value to the project
Why it's wrong here
Accepting without assessing impact bypasses change control and due diligence.
- ✗
Update the project baseline to include the new scope
Why it's wrong here
Baseline updates require change control approval first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The PMP exam often tests the misconception that a change adding value should be immediately accepted or rejected based on risk alone, when the correct first step is always to document and analyze through the formal change control process.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In the PMBOK Guide's integrated change control process, the sequence is: 1) document the change request, 2) perform impact analysis (scope, schedule, cost, risk, quality), 3) submit to the CCB for approval or rejection, and 4) if approved, update the baseline and implement. A common real-world scenario is a stakeholder requesting a feature that adds business value but introduces technical debt; the project manager must first log the request and analyze trade-offs before any decision. The change log and change request form are the official artifacts that ensure auditability and prevent scope creep.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
People — Leading Projects — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Document the change request and submit it through the change control process — Option B is correct because the PMBOK Guide requires that all scope changes be formally documented and submitted through the change control process, regardless of perceived value. This ensures traceability, stakeholder alignment, and proper evaluation before any action is taken. Option C is correct because analyzing the impact on scope, schedule, cost, and risk is a mandatory step within the integrated change control process to inform the decision-making body (e.g., CCB).
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
2 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. During a project status meeting, a stakeholder requests a change that would improve the product but significantly impact the critical path. The project manager has not yet evaluated the change. What should the project manager do?
medium- ✓ A.Document the change request, assess the impact, and submit it to the change control board for approval
- B.Accept the change to satisfy the stakeholder and update the project plan immediately
- C.Reject the change because it impacts the critical path and would delay the project
- D.Inform the stakeholder that the change will be considered after the current phase is complete
Why A: The correct answer is A because the PMBOK Guide mandates that all change requests must be formally documented and assessed for impact on constraints like the critical path before any decision is made. Submitting the evaluated change to the Change Control Board (CCB) ensures proper governance and prevents unauthorized scope creep, even if the stakeholder is influential.
Variation 2. During a sprint review, the product owner requests a significant change to a feature that was just completed. The change would improve user experience but would require reworking two sprints' worth of work. The project is already behind schedule. What should the project manager do first?
medium- A.Agree to the change since it improves user experience and ask the team to start rework
- ✓ B.Document the change request and assess its impact on the project constraints before submitting for approval
- C.Reject the change because the project is already behind schedule
- D.Add the change to the product backlog for a future release without adjusting the current sprint
Why B: Option B is correct because the project manager must first follow the formal change control process by documenting the change request and assessing its impact on the triple constraints (scope, schedule, cost) before any approval or rejection. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's Integrated Change Control process, which ensures that changes are evaluated systematically to avoid uncontrolled scope creep, especially when the project is already behind schedule.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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