Free PMP® Exam Sample Question
You are managing a project to develop a new robot for a mining rescue company. You are currently performing a monitoring and controlling project activity, and you have discovered that some of the project work has not been performed according to the plan. If these issues are not fixed before the next customer inspection, your project might be canceled. You have analyzed the situation, and the corrective action will only require a minor adjustment to a configuration element. What should you do first?
A. Implement the corrective actions
B. Submit a change request
C. Consult the project sponsor
D.Delay the scheduled 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 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. Implement the corrective actions
Incorrect. When a change to a configuration element is required, a change request must first be submitted before the corrective action is taken.
B. Submit a change request
Correct. A configuration element is a project artifact that has been placed under configuration control. Any change in 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. Consult the project sponsor
Incorrect. As the project manager, you have the authority and responsibility to determine how to handle these types of issues that emerge on your project without consulting with the project sponsor. Additionally, a configuration element is a project artifact that requires a change request before any corrective action is performed. Therefore, you should not have to consult your project sponsor.
D.Delay the scheduled customer inspection
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