A project manager has been asked by a major stakeholder to modify the scope of a project in progress. Which of the following is the best FIRST step?

The best first step when a scope change is requested is to assess its impact on the project's schedule, cost, quality, resources, and risks. This initial analysis provides the necessary information for the project manager and other stakeholders to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with the change.

Calling a meeting to seek agreement prematurely, before understanding the change's impact, is inefficient and may lead to ill-informed decisions.

Submitting a change request to the PMO or change control board should happen after the impact assessment, as the request needs to include details about the change's implications.

Obtaining written approval and making changes without first assessing the impact bypasses a critical step in change control and can lead to unforeseen negative consequences for the project.