PMP · Question #318
Due to delays on some activities, one of the project team members has increased the scope without any approval. What should the project manager do next?
The correct answer is D. Evaluate the impacts of the changes that were made to the project.. When unapproved scope changes occur, the project manager's immediate priority is to assess the impact of these changes on the project's objectives, schedule, budget, and resources.
Question
Due to delays on some activities, one of the project team members has increased the scope without any approval. What should the project manager do next?
Options
- ARemove the changes to match the original requirements.
- BAdd team members to the project to avoid more schedule delays.
- CUpdate project documentation with the new scope.
- DEvaluate the impacts of the changes that were made to the project.
How the community answered
(67 responses)- A7% (5)
- B25% (17)
- C16% (11)
- D51% (34)
Why each option
When unapproved scope changes occur, the project manager's immediate priority is to assess the impact of these changes on the project's objectives, schedule, budget, and resources.
Immediately removing changes might not be feasible or desirable without understanding their impact and whether they inadvertently addressed a critical need.
Adding team members is a response to schedule delays, not an immediate action for unapproved scope changes, and might not be necessary or effective without a full impact analysis.
Updating documentation implies accepting the changes, which should only happen *after* evaluation and formal approval through the change control process, not as the immediate next step.
Unapproved scope changes (scope creep) can severely impact a project. Before making any decisions (like removing changes or adding resources), the project manager must first understand the full implications and consequences of these changes on the project's various constraints and objectives.
Concept tested: Managing unapproved scope changes
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/project-operations/deal-management/project-change-management
Topics
Community Discussion
3
Nina C.Jun 19, 2026Going with D here. Before the PM can decide whether to keep or remove the unapproved changes, they first need to understand what those changes actually did to the schedule, budget, and risk profile. Option A sounds tempting since the change was unapproved, but you cannot just rip work out without assessing the fallout first. Once the PM evaluates the full impact, they can take it through the change control process and figure out the right path forward.
Viktor S.Jun 10, 2026D first, always assess before acting. Why is unapproved scope even reaching production?
Bao N.Jun 13, 2026D. Saw this on my exam, C is the trap, always evaluate first.