PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
You are managing a project that is using a hybrid approach. An executive stakeholder has requested a significant change to the project scope. The change has been approved by the change control board (CCB). Which THREE actions should you take next?
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
✓
Communicate the approved change and its impact to all relevant stakeholders
The correct actions after a CCB-approved scope change are: A) Communicate the approved change and its impact to all relevant stakeholders to ensure awareness and buy-in; B) Update the project management plan (including any affected subsidiary plans) to reflect the change; and E) Update the project baselines (scope, schedule, cost) to incorporate the change so future performance is measured against the revised plan. Instructing the team to start work immediately (C) bypasses proper planning and baseline updates. Rejecting the change (D) is inappropriate because it has already been approved.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Communicate the approved change and its impact to all relevant stakeholders
Why this is correct
Communicating the approved change and its impact to all relevant stakeholders is a critical immediate step after change approval. This action ensures that everyone affected by or involved in the project is aware of the new direction, manages expectations, and maintains alignment across the project team and external parties. Effective communication prevents misunderstandings and allows stakeholders to adjust their plans accordingly, fostering transparency and collaboration.
- ✓
Update the project management plan to reflect the approved change
Why this is correct
Updating the project management plan is essential to formally integrate the approved change into the project's guiding documentation. This comprehensive plan dictates how the project will be executed, monitored, and controlled, so reflecting the new scope, schedule, budget, or other impacted areas ensures all subsequent project activities align with the approved modifications. It serves as the authoritative blueprint for the project's revised trajectory.
- ✗
Instruct the team to begin working on the change immediately to avoid delays
Why it's wrong here
Instructing the team to begin working on the change immediately is premature and can lead to significant issues. Before execution, the project management plan and baselines must be formally updated, and all relevant stakeholders need to be informed of the change and its implications. Starting work without these foundational steps risks misaligned efforts, rework, scope creep, and a lack of proper performance measurement against the new objectives, undermining project control.
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Reject the change if it will delay the project beyond the original deadline
Why it's wrong here
Rejecting a change that has already been approved by the Change Control Board (CCB) is inappropriate and outside the project manager's authority. The CCB is the designated body responsible for reviewing and approving or rejecting changes based on their impact and strategic alignment. Once the CCB has granted approval, the project manager's role is to implement the change through the formal change management process, not to unilaterally reverse the decision.
- ✓
Update the project baseline (scope, schedule, cost) to incorporate the change
Why this is correct
Updating the project baseline (scope, schedule, cost) is crucial for establishing new performance measurement targets following an approved change. Baselines serve as the reference points against which actual project performance is measured, enabling accurate variance analysis and earned value management. Incorporating the change into the baselines ensures that future progress tracking and reporting reflect the project's new, approved objectives, providing a realistic basis for control.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Training and Development
Training and Development is the process of enhancing team members' skills, knowledge, and competencies to improve project performance and achieve career growth.
Key term
Project Management Plan
A formal, approved document that defines how a project is executed, monitored, controlled, and closed, serving as the single source of truth for the project team.
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