PMP Practice Question: Business Environment: strategy and project benefits
Your project is in the execution phase when an executive stakeholder bypasses you and gives direct orders to the team to add a new feature. This feature is not in the scope. Which TWO actions should you take?
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
✓
Assess the impact of the new feature on scope, schedule, and cost in preparation for a formal change request
Options A and D are correct. The PM should first meet privately with the executive to explain the importance of following the change control process and to prevent future bypasses, then formally assess the impact of the requested feature on scope, schedule, and cost via a change request. Option B is premature escalation without attempting direct communication. Option C is confrontational and may damage stakeholder relationships. Option E violates change control and could lead to scope creep.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Assess the impact of the new feature on scope, schedule, and cost in preparation for a formal change request
Why this is correct
As a project manager, the immediate and professional response to any proposed change, even if informally requested, is to analyze its potential impact. This involves evaluating how the new feature would affect the project's scope baseline, the current schedule, and the allocated budget. This assessment provides the necessary data to formally present the change to the Change Control Board (CCB) or relevant stakeholders, ensuring an informed decision is made within the established integrated change control process.
- ✗
Immediately escalate the issue to the project sponsor
Why it's wrong here
Escalating directly to the project sponsor at this initial stage is premature and bypasses the project manager's primary responsibility for direct stakeholder communication and issue resolution. The project manager should first attempt to address the situation directly with the executive who made the request. Escalation is typically reserved for situations where direct communication has failed, or the issue is beyond the project manager's authority to resolve.
- ✗
Tell the team to ignore the executive's request
Why it's wrong here
Instructing the team to ignore a senior executive's request is unprofessional and can create significant organizational conflict and mistrust. It undermines the executive's authority and places the project team in an untenable position between the executive and the project manager. The project manager's role is to manage stakeholder expectations and requests through established processes, not to dismiss them outright, especially when coming from a senior leader.
- ✓
Meet privately with the executive to explain the impact of bypassing the change control process and request that all changes go through you
Why this is correct
This proactive approach demonstrates strong stakeholder management and communication skills. By meeting privately, the project manager can educate the executive on the importance of the integrated change control process, explaining how informal requests can negatively impact project baselines and success. This conversation reinforces the project manager's authority and the proper communication channels for all future change requests, addressing the root cause of the issue.
- ✗
Ask the team to implement the feature as requested by the executive
Why it's wrong here
Directing the team to implement an unapproved feature immediately is a critical failure in project governance and violates the integrated change control process. This action would lead to uncontrolled scope creep, potentially causing schedule delays, budget overruns, and quality issues without proper assessment or approval. It also significantly undermines the project manager's authority and the integrity of the project's baselines.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
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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Same concept, more angles
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Variation 1. A project manager is leading a hybrid project. An executive stakeholder bypasses the PM and gives direct orders to the development team. What should the PM do?
easy- A.Report the executive's behavior to the sponsor
- B.Update the communications management plan to include reporting requirements
- ✓ C.Have a private conversation with the executive to explain the impact of bypassing the PM and request they communicate through the proper channels
- D.Tell the team to ignore the executive's orders
Why C: Have a private conversation with the executive to explain the impact of bypassing the PM and request they communicate through the proper channels. This is the best first step because it addresses the issue directly with the stakeholder, maintaining the project manager's authority while preserving the relationship. Option A (reporting to the sponsor) escalates without first attempting to resolve the issue, which can damage trust. Option B (updating the communications management plan) is a procedural fix that does not address the immediate behavior. Option D (telling the team to ignore the orders) undermines the executive's authority and may create conflict. Therefore, a private conversation is the most appropriate initial action.
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.