- A
Reject all scope changes for the remainder of the project
Why wrong: Rejecting all changes is not flexible and may ignore valuable improvements.
- B
Add a contingency buffer to the schedule to absorb future changes
Why wrong: Buffers handle risk, not prevent scope creep.
- C
Stop all work until the scope is re-baselined
Why wrong: Stopping work is drastic and not necessary.
- D
Implement a formal change control process and require all changes to go through it
This is the primary method to control scope creep.
- E
Educate stakeholders on the impact of scope changes and the need to follow the change control process
Communication and stakeholder engagement are key to preventing informal requests.
Question 256 of 892
PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 a software implementation using a hybrid approach. The team has been facing scope creep due to informal change requests from stakeholders. Which TWO actions should you take to address this issue?
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
✓
Implement a formal change control process and require all changes to go through it
Option D is correct because implementing a formal change control process ensures that all scope changes are evaluated, approved, and documented before being integrated into the project. This directly addresses the root cause of scope creep—informal requests—by enforcing a structured workflow that includes impact analysis, approval gates, and baseline updates. In a hybrid software implementation, this process aligns with both predictive and agile practices, preventing unauthorized changes from disrupting the development cycle.
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 all scope changes for the remainder of the project
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting all changes is not flexible and may ignore valuable improvements.
- ✗
Add a contingency buffer to the schedule to absorb future changes
Why it's wrong here
Buffers handle risk, not prevent scope creep.
- ✗
Stop all work until the scope is re-baselined
Why it's wrong here
Stopping work is drastic and not necessary.
- ✓
Implement a formal change control process and require all changes to go through it
Why this is correct
This is the primary method to control scope creep.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Educate stakeholders on the impact of scope changes and the need to follow the change control process
Why this is correct
Communication and stakeholder engagement are key to preventing informal requests.
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 often confuse accommodating scope creep (e.g., adding buffers) with preventing it, or they overreact by rejecting all changes, failing to recognize that a formal process is the balanced, PMBOK-aligned solution that manages changes without derailing the project.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a hybrid project, the change control process typically integrates a Change Control Board (CCB) for formal approvals and a backlog prioritization mechanism for agile components. The key is to establish a clear threshold for what constitutes a change (e.g., any deviation from the approved scope baseline) and to use a change log to track all requests, ensuring traceability and auditability. Real-world scenarios often involve stakeholders bypassing the process via email or verbal requests, which is why enforcing a single entry point (e.g., a change request form) is critical to maintaining scope integrity.
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.
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Process — Managing Technical Aspects — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement a formal change control process and require all changes to go through it — Option D is correct because implementing a formal change control process ensures that all scope changes are evaluated, approved, and documented before being integrated into the project. This directly addresses the root cause of scope creep—informal requests—by enforcing a structured workflow that includes impact analysis, approval gates, and baseline updates. In a hybrid software implementation, this process aligns with both predictive and agile practices, preventing unauthorized changes from disrupting the development cycle.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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