PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Your project is a large infrastructure build. You have completed the planning phase, but the sponsor has put pressure on you to start construction before all approvals are obtained. The schedule is tight, and any delay could result in penalties. What should the project manager do?
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
✓
Explain the risks to the sponsor and refuse to start until approvals are obtained
The project manager must adhere to regulatory and compliance requirements. Starting construction without necessary approvals exposes the project to legal, safety, and schedule risks. The PM should explain these risks to the sponsor and refuse to proceed until approvals are obtained. Option A is wrong because even non-critical activities may require approvals or set a dangerous precedent. Option C is wrong because documentation alone does not mitigate the risk of non-compliance. Option D is wrong because the PM must not blindly follow the sponsor's request when it violates governance policies.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Begin construction on non-critical activities while waiting for approvals
Why it's wrong here
Beginning construction on non-critical activities without proper approvals is a significant breach of project governance and potentially legal or regulatory compliance. Even seemingly minor tasks can incur costs, create liabilities, or require rework if not aligned with approved plans, exposing the organization to financial risk and reputational damage. A Project Manager's responsibility includes ensuring all work adheres to established authorization protocols, regardless of perceived criticality.
- ✓
Explain the risks to the sponsor and refuse to start until approvals are obtained
Why this is correct
This is the correct professional response, demonstrating the Project Manager's commitment to ethical conduct, risk management, and adherence to established project governance. By clearly articulating the potential consequences of proceeding without authorization, the PM protects the project, the organization, and themselves from legal, financial, and reputational liabilities. It upholds the principle that formal approvals are non-negotiable prerequisites for project execution, especially in large infrastructure builds.
- ✗
Document the sponsor's request and begin work
Why it's wrong here
Merely documenting a sponsor's request to bypass formal approvals does not absolve the Project Manager of responsibility or legitimize unauthorized work. This action fails to mitigate the inherent risks associated with non-compliance, such as potential regulatory fines, contractual breaches, or safety hazards. Documentation serves to record decisions and actions, not to substitute for the necessary authorization processes that protect organizational interests and ensure project integrity.
- ✗
Proceed as requested by the sponsor
Why it's wrong here
Blindly proceeding as requested by the sponsor, despite lacking necessary approvals, constitutes a severe lapse in professional judgment and ethical responsibility for a Project Manager. This action directly violates established project governance, potentially leading to legal repercussions, significant financial losses, and safety compromises for the organization. A PM's duty is to uphold project integrity and organizational policy, not merely to fulfill every stakeholder demand without due process and proper authorization.
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JA
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.