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Change Requests

5 minutes 5 Questions

Change Requests are formal requests submitted by stakeholders or project team members to modify the project scope, schedule, or cost. These requests can include additions, deletions, or modifications to the project deliverables, requirements, or performance baseline. Changes often arise due to factors such as updated stakeholder requirements, risks and issues resolution, or lessons learned. Change requests must be properly documented, analyzed, and approved through the change control process to ensure that the impact on the project is understood and managed effectively, minimizing the risk of scope creep.

Change Requests for Project Scope Verification and Control

Change Requests are a critical part of scope verification and control in PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition.

Why it is important: Change Requests ensure that any proposed alterations to the project scope are documented, evaluated, approved or rejected. This process minimizes the impact of scope creep and keeps the project aligned with its objectives.

What it is: Change requests can be generated by anyone involved in the project and are submissions for an adjustment or alteration of the project's scope, schedule, or resources.

How it works: When a change request is raised, it goes through a review process, including impact analysis, alternatives analysis, and final approval or rejection. Approved change requests are updated in the project management plan and appropriate project documents.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Change Requests:
1. Remember that change requests must always go through the change control process.
2. Never approve or implement change requests without proper analysis and approval.
3. Always consider the impact of the change request on the project's triple constraints - scope, schedule, and cost.
4. Be aware that changes could originate from inside or outside the project, including from stakeholders, regulatory bodies, or the project team itself.

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PMP - Scope Verification and Control Example Questions

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Question 1

During the execution phase of a project, a Change Request is submitted to modify the project scope. The Change Request is reviewed by the Change Control Board (CCB). What role does the CCB play in the approval process of Change Requests?

Correct Answer: They evaluate the impact of the change on project objectives and decide whether to approve or reject it based on project governance.

The Change Control Board (CCB) plays a crucial role in evaluating the impact of proposed changes on the project objectives. They are responsible for reviewing the Change Request and deciding whether to approve or reject it based on project governance. The other options are incorrect because: - The CCB does not supervise the implementation of the change. Their role is focused on the approval process. - The CCB does not initiate the Change Request process or determine the timeline for incorporating the change. These responsibilities typically fall under the project manager or the person submitting the Change Request. - The CCB's role is not limited to submitting the Change Request for formal documentation purposes. They actively review and make decisions on the approval of the change.

Question 2

Halfway through the project, a client wants to add a new feature that will change the project scope. As a project manager, what should be your immediate reaction?

Correct Answer: Initiate a Change Request to review the proposed changes and their potential impact on the project.

As a competent project manager, initiating a Change Request is the most professional course of action. This is because the new feature could change the project scope significantly and might impact time, costs, or resources. By initiating a Change Request, the suggested changes will be critically analyzed and their potential impact on the project can be thoroughly evaluated. The option, 'Accept the change instantly as it comes from the client', does not take into account the potential problems which the change might introduce. As a project manager, you are responsible for evaluating all changes based on their potential impact on the project The action, 'Reject the feature addition outright for changing the original scope', also is not the best approach as it fails to consider the potential value the change might provide. Moreover, it could lead to client dissatisfaction due to rigid project management practices. Lastly, 'Leave the decision on the client's request to the project team,' is not ideal as the decision needs to be made by a higher authority or a committee, not just the team themselves since it's about scope change that requires approval from stakeholders.

Question 3

During a project's execution phase, a change request for upgrading to a newer version of an infrastructure component arrives. The request affects multiple other components and their integration points. As per PMBOK guidelines, what is the correct action to take?

Correct Answer: Document the change request details and analyze its impact on related project components

According to PMBOK guidelines, when a change request arrives during project execution, the first and most crucial step is to document the change request and analyze its impact on related components. This is part of the Perform Integrated Change Control process. Key reasons this is the correct approach: - It enables proper evaluation of the change's full scope and implications - It follows formal change control procedures - It allows for risk assessment before making any decisions - It provides a basis for informed decision-making Why other options are insufficient: - Assessing compatibility and preparing integration analysis is premature before initial documentation and impact analysis - Updating the project plan and implementing changes should not occur before proper evaluation and approval - Contacting vendors for specifications and pricing is too specific an action before understanding the full scope of impact on the project The change management process requires systematic evaluation starting with documentation and impact analysis to ensure all aspects of the change are considered before moving forward with any specific actions.

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