The answer is to submit a change request for the new requirement and assess its impact. This is correct because the PMBOK Guide’s integrated change control process mandates that even a mandatory regulatory requirement must be formally documented and evaluated for effects on scope, schedule, cost, and quality before any action is taken. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding that a new regulatory requirement change control process always begins with a change request, not with direct implementation or plan updates—a common trap where test-takers assume “mandatory” means skipping governance. The key insight is that compliance does not override process; you must assess impact first to determine how the requirement integrates with existing baselines. Remember the mnemonic “CR before IR” (Change Request before Implementation or Revision) to avoid falling for distractors that suggest updating the plan or stopping work immediately.
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, and a new regulatory requirement has been discovered that will affect the project scope. The change is mandatory and must be implemented within two weeks. What should you do 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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Submit a change request for the new requirement and assess its impact
When a mandatory regulatory requirement is discovered during execution, the first step is to submit a change request and assess its impact. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's integrated change control process, which requires that all changes—even mandatory ones—be formally documented and evaluated for their effect on scope, schedule, cost, and quality before any action is taken. Directly updating the plan or stopping work bypasses this critical governance step.
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.
✗
Directly update the project management plan to reflect the new requirement
Why it's wrong here
Updating the PM plan without change control approval is a violation.
✓
Submit a change request for the new requirement and assess its impact
Why this is correct
Even mandatory changes must follow the change control process to ensure impact is understood and approved.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Stop all project work until the change is resolved
Why it's wrong here
Stopping work is drastic; the change should be processed while other work continues.
✗
Inform the sponsor and ask for immediate approval
Why it's wrong here
The sponsor may approve, but the formal process should still be followed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume mandatory changes can bypass the formal change control process, leading them to choose direct plan updates or sponsor approval, but the PMP exam always requires a change request as the first step regardless of urgency.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Perform Integrated Change Control process (PMBOK Guide 4.6) mandates that any change affecting baselines must go through a formal change request, impact analysis, and approval by the Change Control Board (CCB) or authorized stakeholder. Even mandatory regulatory changes require this sequence to ensure that the project's triple constraint (scope, time, cost) is re-baselined properly and that risks are documented. In real-world scenarios, failing to submit a change request can lead to audit findings, scope creep, or contractual disputes.
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: Submit a change request for the new requirement and assess its impact — When a mandatory regulatory requirement is discovered during execution, the first step is to submit a change request and assess its impact. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's integrated change control process, which requires that all changes—even mandatory ones—be formally documented and evaluated for their effect on scope, schedule, cost, and quality before any action is taken. Directly updating the plan or stopping work bypasses this critical governance step.
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 →
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 new regulatory requirement has been discovered mid-project. This requirement will affect the project scope and schedule. Which THREE actions should you take?
hard
A.Ignore the requirement until the next project phase
✓ B.Assess the impact of the new requirement on scope, schedule, and cost
✓ C.Communicate the potential impact to key stakeholders
D.Implement the requirement immediately to ensure compliance
✓ E.Submit a change request to formally propose the necessary modifications
Why B: Option B is correct because a new regulatory requirement discovered mid-project must be assessed for its impact on the triple constraint (scope, schedule, cost) before any action is taken. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's Perform Integrated Change Control process, where the project manager evaluates the effect of a change on all project baselines. Without this assessment, you cannot determine the feasibility or the necessary adjustments to the project plan.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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.