Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlineBusiness EnvironmentEasy
A project manager is leading a project to develop a new online learning platform. During the project execution phase, a new government regulation is enacted that mandates specific accessibility standards for all online educational content. This regulation was not anticipated in the initial project planning. What should the project manager do FIRST?
- ACommunicate the new regulation to the development team and instruct them to incorporate accessibility features.
- BAssess the impact of the new regulation on the project's scope, schedule, cost, and quality.
- CSubmit a change request to the project sponsor to increase the project budget for compliance.
- DImmediately halt all development work until the new regulation can be fully integrated into the project plan.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Assess the impact of the new regulation on the project's scope, schedule, cost, and quality.
When unexpected external changes occur, the first step for a project manager is always to assess the impact on the project's various constraints and objectives. This assessment provides the necessary information to make informed decisions and plan subsequent actions.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Instructing the team without a proper assessment of the impact might lead to rework or inefficient implementation.
- C. Submitting a change request for budget increase without a thorough impact analysis is premature and not based on data.
- D. Halting development immediately without assessment is premature and could lead to unnecessary delays and costs.
External Change Impact Assessment
The process of evaluating how unforeseen external factors, such as new regulations or market shifts, affect a project's objectives and constraints.
- Crucial first step when external changes arise.
- Covers scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risks.
- Informs subsequent decision-making and change management.
Memory trick: Regulations hit, don't just sit; assess the impact, then commit.