PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
You are managing a project using a hybrid approach. The project has a fixed-price contract with a customer. Midway through, the customer requests a significant scope change that would increase the contract value. The change request is approved by the CCB. What must the project manager do NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the order of actions after CCB approval, often jumping to 'update the contract' (Option C) or 'start work immediately' (Option B), forgetting that the project management plan and baselines must be formally updated and communicated first to maintain control over the project's performance measurement.
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
✓
Update the project management plan and baselines, and communicate the approved change to all relevant stakeholders.
After a change is approved by the CCB, the project manager must first update the project management plan and baselines (scope, schedule, cost) to reflect the approved change, then communicate the change to all relevant stakeholders. This ensures that the project's performance measurement baselines are aligned with the new scope and cost, and that all stakeholders are aware of the updated plan before work begins. In a hybrid approach with a fixed-price contract, updating the contract is a separate procurement process that occurs after the baselines are updated and communicated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Inform the team of the approved change and update the work packages accordingly.
Why it's wrong here
Informing the team and updating work packages immediately after approval, but before formal baseline updates, is premature and can lead to significant inconsistencies. Work packages are detailed components derived from the project management plan and baselines. Without first updating the authoritative project plan and baselines, the project's official record remains misaligned, potentially causing confusion, rework, or scope creep as the team executes against outdated foundational documents.
- ✗
Proceed with the change immediately to avoid delays.
Why it's wrong here
Proceeding with an approved change immediately without first updating the project management plan and baselines bypasses critical control mechanisms. This action creates a discrepancy between the planned and actual project state, making it impossible to accurately measure performance, track progress, or justify future decisions. Such an approach undermines project governance, increases risks of scope creep, budget overruns, and schedule delays, and compromises the integrity of the project's formal documentation.
- ✗
Update the contract with the new scope and cost, and then start the work.
Why it's wrong here
While an approved change might necessitate a contract amendment, directly updating the contract is typically a function performed by the procurement department, not the project manager. The project manager's primary responsibility, after an internal change approval, is to update the project management plan and baselines to reflect the new scope and cost. This internal documentation then serves as the basis for any necessary external contractual adjustments, which are subsequently managed through formal procurement processes.
- ✓
Update the project management plan and baselines, and communicate the approved change to all relevant stakeholders.
Why this is correct
After a change request receives formal approval, the project manager's immediate and crucial responsibility is to integrate that approved change into the project management plan and its subsidiary baselines, such as scope, schedule, and cost. This ensures all project documentation accurately reflects the revised project direction. Following this essential update, communicating the approved change and its implications to all relevant stakeholders is vital for maintaining transparency, aligning expectations, and ensuring everyone operates from the most current and authoritative project information.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
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.
Key term
Team Building
Team building is the process of creating a cohesive group of people who work together effectively toward a shared goal.
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