PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
You are managing a software development project using a hybrid approach. During a sprint review, the product owner requests a new feature that was not in the backlog. The team estimates it will take 5 additional days. What should you do first?
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
✓
Submit a change request to the change control board and assess impact on schedule, cost, and resources
According to PMI, any scope change must go through the change control process. The most appropriate first step is to document and assess the impact of the change.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add the feature to the product backlog and prioritize it in the next sprint planning
Why it's wrong here
This action is incorrect because a formal change request, especially in a hybrid project environment, requires a structured change control process, not just direct addition to the product backlog. Bypassing the Integrated Change Control process risks unmanaged impacts on project baselines, potential scope creep, and a lack of formal approval, which is critical for maintaining project governance and stakeholder alignment. Simply adding it to the backlog without assessment and approval undermines project integrity.
- ✗
Inform the product owner that no changes can be made once the sprint has started
Why it's wrong here
This response is inappropriate because, while mid-sprint changes are generally discouraged to protect sprint goals and team focus, a formal change request can and should be processed through the Integrated Change Control system. Refusing to even assess a stakeholder's request without following the established change management plan demonstrates a lack of responsiveness and adherence to project governance, potentially leading to stakeholder dissatisfaction and unaddressed project risks.
- ✓
Submit a change request to the change control board and assess impact on schedule, cost, and resources
Why this is correct
This is the correct approach because all formal change requests, particularly in a hybrid project environment, must undergo the Integrated Change Control process. Submitting a change request to the Change Control Board (CCB) ensures that the proposed feature is properly documented, its impact on project baselines (scope, schedule, cost, resources, quality, risk) is thoroughly assessed, and formal approval is obtained before implementation. This structured process maintains project integrity and prevents uncontrolled scope changes.
- ✗
Ask the team to start working on the feature immediately to satisfy the stakeholder
Why it's wrong here
Initiating work on a new feature immediately without formal approval is a critical violation of the project's change control process and an example of uncontrolled scope creep. This action bypasses necessary impact assessments, resource allocation adjustments, and formal authorization, potentially destabilizing the project's baselines for scope, schedule, and cost. It undermines project governance, can lead to rework, and may result in project failure due to unmanaged changes.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Scrum Methodology
Scrum is a lightweight process framework that helps teams deliver complex projects in small, iterative chunks called sprints.
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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