The answer is to initiate a change request through the Integrated Change Control process, communicate the requirement to stakeholders, and assess the impact on the project constraints. This trio of actions is correct because a new mandatory regulatory requirement constitutes a formal change to the project’s scope baseline, and in a hybrid project, the Integrated Change Control process ensures that all changes are evaluated for their effect on cost, schedule, and quality before approval. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to handle compliance-driven changes within a hybrid framework, where both predictive and adaptive practices apply. A common trap is to assume that mandatory requirements bypass change control; in reality, even regulatory mandates must follow the formal process to document the impact and secure authorization. Remember the mnemonic “CIA” for this situation: Communicate the change, Initiate the change request, and Assess the impact analysis.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
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.
A project manager is leading a complex software development project using a hybrid approach. A new regulatory requirement has been discovered that affects the project's scope. The requirement is mandatory and must be implemented before the project can close. Which THREE actions should the project manager take? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Communicate the new requirement to the project team and relevant stakeholders
Option B is correct because in a hybrid project, the project manager must first communicate the new mandatory regulatory requirement to the project team and relevant stakeholders to ensure awareness and alignment before any action is taken. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on stakeholder engagement and transparent communication when scope changes are discovered, especially for compliance-driven mandates.
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.
✗
Immediately adjust the project budget and schedule to accommodate the requirement
Why it's wrong here
Adjustments must be approved through change control first.
✓
Communicate the new requirement to the project team and relevant stakeholders
Why this is correct
Transparent communication keeps everyone informed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Assign the new requirement to the development team to start work immediately
Why it's wrong here
Work should not start without approved change request.
✓
Analyze the impact of the new requirement on the project schedule, budget, and resources
Why this is correct
Impact analysis is necessary to inform decisions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Initiate a change request through the Integrated Change Control process
Why this is correct
All scope changes require formal change control.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume a mandatory requirement can be implemented immediately without formal change control, confusing urgency with the need for proper impact analysis and stakeholder communication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a hybrid approach, the project manager must balance predictive controls (like formal change requests) with agile flexibility. The mandatory regulatory requirement triggers a change request that must be evaluated for its effect on the project's baseline—schedule, cost, and scope—before implementation. This ensures compliance without destabilizing ongoing iterations or violating the project's governance framework.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
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: Communicate the new requirement to the project team and relevant stakeholders — Option B is correct because in a hybrid project, the project manager must first communicate the new mandatory regulatory requirement to the project team and relevant stakeholders to ensure awareness and alignment before any action is taken. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on stakeholder engagement and transparent communication when scope changes are discovered, especially for compliance-driven mandates.
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.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.