PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Your project is 60% complete. The CPI is 1.05 and SPI is 0.92. You have received a change request from the customer that would add scope but also increase the budget. The change request is currently under review. What should you do while the change request is being evaluated?
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
✓
Continue with the current project work as planned until the change is approved
The project should continue with the current work as planned until the change request is formally approved and integrated into the project plan. Implementing changes before approval violates change control processes and PMI best practices. Options B, C, and D are incorrect: B is premature and biased, C violates the change control process, and D updates the plan without approval.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Continue with the current project work as planned until the change is approved
Why this is correct
The project manager's primary responsibility is to execute the project according to the currently approved project management plan and its baselines. Until a change request undergoes the formal Integrated Change Control process and receives official approval, any deviation from the established plan constitutes unauthorized work. Therefore, continuing with the current planned activities ensures adherence to the approved scope, schedule, and cost baselines, maintaining project control and integrity.
- ✗
Inform the customer that the change request will likely be rejected due to cost
Why it's wrong here
As a project manager, it is unprofessional and inappropriate to prejudge the outcome of a change request or to communicate such an opinion to the customer. The project manager's role is to facilitate the change control process, ensuring all relevant information is presented to the Change Control Board (CCB) or designated authority for an objective decision. Speculating on rejection undermines trust and bypasses the established formal process for evaluating changes.
- ✗
Instruct the team to begin work on the change to avoid schedule delays
Why it's wrong here
Instructing the team to commence work on an unapproved change is a direct violation of the Integrated Change Control process and introduces significant project risk. Performing work outside the approved baseline can lead to scope creep, unauthorized expenditure, and potential rework if the change is ultimately rejected or modified. All work must be formally authorized through the change control system to maintain project governance and control.
- ✗
Update the project management plan to include the change and inform stakeholders
Why it's wrong here
Updating the project management plan and informing stakeholders about a change *before* it has been formally approved is premature and misleading. The project management plan is a controlled document that reflects the approved project direction and baselines. Only after a change request has successfully navigated the Integrated Change Control process and received official authorization should the relevant project documents be updated and stakeholders informed of the *approved* modification.
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
Change Control Process
A formal, structured procedure used to manage any changes to a project's scope, schedule, budget, or requirements, ensuring every modification is reviewed, approved, tested, and documented before implementation.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.