PMP · Question #816
A project manager is working on a large project with a very difficult client. During the course of the project, the project manager realizes that if the project team had a little more time and funding
The correct answer is C. Develop a business case and submit it to the client.. If minor changes could yield significant early benefits for a client, the project manager should develop a formal business case to present this opportunity for additional time and funding.
Question
A project manager is working on a large project with a very difficult client. During the course of the project, the project manager realizes that if the project team had a little more time and funding to make some minor changes, the client could realize the benefits of 25% of the project outcomes early. How should the project manager approach this?
Options
- AConcentrate on the current project milestones.
- BMake all the changes and then show the client the results.
- CDevelop a business case and submit it to the client.
- DUpdate the project management plan for this new work.
How the community answered
(40 responses)- A8% (3)
- B5% (2)
- C70% (28)
- D18% (7)
Why each option
If minor changes could yield significant early benefits for a client, the project manager should develop a formal business case to present this opportunity for additional time and funding.
Ignoring a potential significant benefit for the client (25% early outcomes) to strictly concentrate on current milestones misses an opportunity to deliver additional value and build client satisfaction.
Making changes without client approval, especially those requiring additional time and funding, is a significant breach of contract and project governance.
Proposing additional work (even minor changes) that requires more time and funding constitutes a change to the project scope and resources, which must be formally justified to the client. Developing a business case clearly outlines the benefits (25% early outcomes), costs, and potential impact, allowing the client to make an informed decision on investing further.
Updating the project management plan (PMP) for new work should only occur after the client has approved the changes based on a justification like a business case; it's not the initial approach.
Concept tested: Scope management and value proposition
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Yuki V.Jun 11, 2026Confirmed C on my exam last week. The keyword giveaway is "funding" - if you need more money or time, that is a change request that requires a business case first. Option B is a trap because you never make changes and then reveal them. Option D sounds official but you cannot update the project management plan before the client actually approves anything.
Olusegun A.Jun 12, 2026D is the trap most people fall for because updating the plan before approval violates the documented change control process, but I would add that the business case also needs to tie back to benefits realization, not just justify the ask.
Olusegun A.Jun 25, 2026C is right but does anyone know if the PM ever bypasses the client business case?
Nina C.Jul 5, 2026Going with A here. The exam wants you to stay focused on delivering the agreed scope first, and early benefits sound great but scope creep with a difficult client is a trap you do not want to walk into.
Olusegun A.Jul 5, 2026C is correct here Nina. The question is testing whether you know that delivering early benefits builds stakeholder confidence and reduces friction with difficult clients, not whether you can robotically lock down scope.