PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
In a large, multi-phase construction project, the project sponsor asks you to bypass the change control process to expedite a minor change that the sponsor believes is low risk. The change could save two weeks on the schedule. What should you do?
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
✓
Explain the importance of following the change control process and submit a change request
The correct answer is B: explain the importance of following the change control process and submit a change request. Even a minor, seemingly low-risk change must go through the project's change control process so it can be evaluated for impacts on scope, schedule, cost, risk, and quality before approval; the sponsor's authority does not override the agreed governance. Submitting a formal change request also preserves the audit trail and allows the change control board to decide whether the two-week schedule benefit justifies the change. Option A is wrong because bypassing the process violates governance regardless of perceived risk, and Option C is wrong because after-the-fact documentation is still an unauthorized change. Option D is wrong because escalation to the PMO without first following the proper change request procedure is premature and does not address the sponsor's request correctly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Agree to bypass the process given the low risk and schedule benefit
Why it's wrong here
Bypassing change control removes the impact assessment and approval record that the process exists to provide, regardless of the sponsor's risk judgement. It is tempting because two weeks of schedule gain looks worthwhile, and would be acceptable only if the change were processed through the normal integrated change control route.
- ✓
Explain the importance of following the change control process and submit a change request
Why this is correct
Change control exists to assess impact, risk and approval across the integrated baselines of a multi-phase project; bypassing it, even for a minor change, undermines governance and could cascade into other phases. Explaining this and submitting a change request preserves the process while still allowing the sponsor's schedule saving to be evaluated.
- ✗
Implement the change but document it after the fact
Why it's wrong here
Retrospective documentation still bypasses the approved change control process, so the change is implemented without impact analysis, approval or baselined authorisation. It tempts because minor changes feel low risk, but the process exists precisely to record and assess every change before implementation, regardless of size or sponsor pressure.
- ✗
Escalate the sponsor's request to the PMO without further discussion
Why it's wrong here
Escalating without discussion skips the project manager's duty to assess the change and advise the sponsor on process, and it damages the working relationship. Escalation suits genuine unresolvable authority disputes or suspected ethical breaches, not a sponsor request that should first be evaluated through the change control process.
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