CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005)Project Management ConceptsEasy
A project manager is overseeing a new software development initiative. During the planning phase, a key stakeholder requests a significant change to the core functionality that would impact the project's scope, budget, and timeline. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step for the project manager?
- ADocument the change request and initiate the formal change control process.
- BImmediately implement the requested change to ensure stakeholder satisfaction.
- CDelegate the assessment of the change to the development team without further oversight.
- DInform the stakeholder that changes cannot be made once planning has begun.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Document the change request and initiate the formal change control process.
Significant changes to a project require a formal change control process to assess their impact and gain approval, preventing uncontrolled scope creep.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Implementing changes without assessment can lead to scope creep, budget overruns, and schedule delays.
- C. Delegating without oversight abdicates the project manager's responsibility for managing project scope and risks.
- D. While changes should be managed, outright refusal without assessment is not a best practice and can lead to stakeholder dissatisfaction.
Change Control Process
A formal procedure used to manage and approve changes to a project's scope, schedule, or budget after the project baseline has been established.
- Ensures proposed changes are evaluated for impact.
- Requires formal documentation and approval.
- Prevents scope creep and uncontrolled project deviations.
Memory trick: Changes aren't chaos; they're a controlled cascade.