The answer is to assess the impact of the new regulation on scope, schedule, and cost. This is correct because a mandatory regulatory change project scope adjustment triggers a formal change control process, even during execution; the first step is always to analyze how the requirement affects the project’s triple constraint before submitting a change request to the Change Control Board. On the PMP exam, this tests your understanding of the Perform Integrated Change Control process and the distinction between mandatory and optional changes—a common trap is jumping to update the project management plan without first evaluating the impact. Remember that regulatory compliance is non-negotiable, so the assess-first approach ensures the baseline is revised accurately. Memory tip: “Assess before you address” — always evaluate the ripple effect on scope, schedule, and cost before seeking approval.
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.
Your project is in the execution phase when a new regulatory requirement is discovered that impacts the project scope. The change is mandatory and must be implemented immediately. Which THREE actions should you take?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update the project management plan and other relevant documents after approval
Option A is correct because once a change request is approved by the CCB, the project management plan and other relevant documents must be updated to reflect the new regulatory requirement. This ensures that the project baseline (scope, schedule, cost) is formally revised and that all stakeholders are working from the same approved version, maintaining control over the project's execution.
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.
✓
Update the project management plan and other relevant documents after approval
Why this is correct
Updating documents ensures alignment with the change.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Instruct the team to start implementing the change immediately
Why it's wrong here
Work should not begin without approved change request.
✓
Submit a change request to the change control board (CCB)
Why this is correct
Formal change control is required even for mandatory changes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ignore the regulation because the project is already underway
Why it's wrong here
Non-compliance can have legal consequences.
✓
Assess the impact of the new regulation on scope, schedule, and cost
Why this is correct
Impact analysis is essential before any change.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
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 mistakenly think mandatory regulatory changes can bypass the formal change control process and be implemented immediately, but the PMP exam emphasizes that all changes must go through the CCB for approval and impact assessment first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In the PMBOK Guide, the Perform Integrated Change Control process requires that all change requests (including mandatory ones) be documented, assessed for impact on the triple constraint (scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources), and submitted to the CCB for approval before implementation. Even urgent regulatory changes follow this process, but the CCB may expedite the review. The approved change then triggers updates to the project management plan, scope baseline, and other relevant documents to maintain alignment and traceability.
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: Update the project management plan and other relevant documents after approval — Option A is correct because once a change request is approved by the CCB, the project management plan and other relevant documents must be updated to reflect the new regulatory requirement. This ensures that the project baseline (scope, schedule, cost) is formally revised and that all stakeholders are working from the same approved version, maintaining control over the project's execution.
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: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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