PMP · Question #965
During user acceptance testing, a project sponsor asks the project manager to add a couple of features. To meet the firm go-live date, the project team will need to work overtime. What should the proj
The correct answer is D. Consult with the project team and provide options to the sponsor.. When a sponsor requests new features that would require overtime to meet a firm go-live date, the project manager should consult the team for feasibility and options before presenting choices to the sponsor.
Question
During user acceptance testing, a project sponsor asks the project manager to add a couple of features. To meet the firm go-live date, the project team will need to work overtime. What should the project manager do?
Options
- ASubmit an emergency change request and assign tasks to the team.
- BRequest approval for overtime and a bonus to deliver on time.
- CInform the sponsor that the project team cannot commit to more work.
- DConsult with the project team and provide options to the sponsor.
How the community answered
(59 responses)- A24% (14)
- B7% (4)
- C14% (8)
- D56% (33)
Why each option
When a sponsor requests new features that would require overtime to meet a firm go-live date, the project manager should consult the team for feasibility and options before presenting choices to the sponsor.
Submitting an emergency change request and assigning tasks immediately without consulting the team first is an autocratic approach that can lead to resentment, unrealistic commitments, and potential failure.
Requesting approval for overtime and a bonus prematurely, without first understanding the team's capacity and agreement, bypasses the essential step of assessing feasibility and team impact.
Flatly refusing the sponsor's request without exploring possibilities or offering alternatives can be unproductive and damage the relationship; it's better to collaborate on solutions.
Consulting the project team first is crucial to understand the actual impact, effort, and potential options (e.g., deferring other scope, estimated overtime, revised timeline) before communicating a comprehensive response and options to the sponsor.
Concept tested: Change management, team consultation, and options presentation
Topics
Community Discussion
4
Mei-Ling H.Oct 17, 2025D is correct because the key word here is "should" combined with the impact on the team. The PM must consult the team first to understand feasibility, then provide the sponsor with options like scope versus schedule tradeoffs rather than just saying yes to overtime or no to the request outright.
Brenda K.Oct 18, 2025D. A is tempting but you consult the team first, never just assign overtime.
Zlatan X.Oct 20, 2025Agreed on D, but the deeper point is that overtime is a schedule compression lever that rippled across component interdependencies and benefits realization, so program governance needs to weigh the cost and risk tradeoffs before any component manager pulls that trigger unilaterally.
Zlatan X.Oct 28, 2025D is the only answer that reflects integrated change control at the right altitude. Saw this on my exam last spring and the key was recognizing that scope changes mid-UAT require collaborative impact analysis before any commitment, not a unilateral task assignment or a flat refusal.