A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has approached a project team member to request a project change. Which of the following would be the BEST step for the project manager to take to prevent scope creep?

Flatly denying a CEO's request without a formal review process is inappropriate and bypasses the change governance structure.

Implementing the change without CCB approval is the definition of scope creep, as it adds work outside the approved scope baseline.

Submitting the request to the CCB ensures that even high-authority stakeholders like a CEO must follow the formal change control process. The CCB evaluates the impact on scope, schedule, cost, and quality before approving or rejecting the change. Bypassing this process for any requester, regardless of seniority, is a primary cause of scope creep.

The communications plan defines how information is shared among stakeholders and does not govern how change requests are submitted or controlled.