TOPIC: Free PMP® Exam Sample Question

While reviewing your project's performance, you discover a significant variance. If the issue is not fixed before the next customer inspection, your project might be canceled. However, after a further review conducted by the project team, you are glad to hear that bringing the project back on track requires only a minor correction to a configuration element.

What should you do first?

A. Implement the corrective action
B. Submit a change request
C. Consult the project sponsor
D. Delay the customer inspection

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HINT: What is the proper change control procedure when an adjustment to a configuration element is required?

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Answer and Explanation:
The correct answer is B.

All of the available answers seem like possible options in this scenario, but the question is specifically asking what you should do 'first'.

Although you have already analyzed the situation and you know what corrective actions are required, you must follow the proper change control procedure.

A configuration element is a project artifact that has been placed under configuration control. Any change to a configuration element should be formally controlled and will require a change request.

Since the question describes a situation requiring a change to a configuration element, the first thing you should do is submit a change request and have it approved before you can implement the changes.

Details for each option:

A. Incorrect. When a change to a configuration element is required, a change request must first be submitted before the corrective action is taken, regardless of how minor the requested change is.

B. Correct. A configuration element is a project artifact that has been placed under configuration control. Any change to a configuration element should be formally controlled and will require a change request. Therefore, since the corrective action will require a change to a configuration element, the first thing you should do in this scenario is to submit a change request.

C. Incorrect. As the project manager, you have the authority and responsibility to determine how to handle issues that emerge on your project without consulting with the project sponsor. While potential project termination is a serious issue that would require the involvement of the project sponsor, the scenario describes a situation where you have determined that a minor change can bring the project back on track. Therefore, involving the project sponsor is unlikely needed.

D. Incorrect. Delaying the customer inspection is an option, but should not be your first choice. Since the corrective action is for a configuration element, a change request is required. Delaying the inspection could be a consequence of submitting the change request, but you need to submit the change request first.

Reference: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 112, 115