The correct answer is to continue with the current project work as planned until the change is approved. This is because, under the PMI framework and the integrated change control process, no change can be implemented until the change request has been formally reviewed and approved by the change control board. Even though the project is behind schedule with an SPI of 0.92, the CPI of 1.05 shows you are under budget, so there is no immediate crisis that would justify pausing work or implementing the change prematurely. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the "change request under review continue project" principle, which is a common trap where candidates mistakenly think they should stop work or start the new scope early. The key memory tip is: "No approval, no action—keep the baseline intact until the change is signed off."
PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 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 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
Option B is correct: The project continues as planned until the change request is approved. PMI does not recommend implementing changes before approval. Options A and C are premature, D is incorrect.
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.
✓
Continue with the current project work as planned until the change is approved
Why this is correct
Work should proceed according to the approved baseline until a change is formally approved.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Inform the customer that the change request will likely be rejected due to cost
Why it's wrong here
Prejudging the outcome is not professional; let the process decide.
✗
Instruct the team to begin work on the change to avoid schedule delays
Why it's wrong here
Starting work before approval violates change control.
✗
Update the project management plan to include the change and inform stakeholders
Why it's wrong here
The plan should only be updated after approval.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Continue with the current project work as planned until the change is approved — Option B is correct: The project continues as planned until the change request is approved. PMI does not recommend implementing changes before approval. Options A and C are premature, D is incorrect.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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