10 PMP? Questions (Mock) on Scope and Change Management for Traditional Project Management with Expert Explanations

1..During a project to develop a new software product, the project manager realizes that a key feature requested by the customer is not included in the approved scope. What is the best action for the project manager to take?

A. Add the feature to the project scope to meet the customer's expectations.

B. Request the customer to formally submit a change request for the feature.

C. Inform the team to start working on the feature immediately.

D. Explain to the customer that the feature cannot be included at this stage.

Answer: B. Request the customer to formally submit a change request for the feature.

Explanation: Changes to the project scope must follow the established change control process to ensure they are evaluated for feasibility, impact, and approval. This approach maintains project discipline and stakeholder alignment.

2..A project team completes a deliverable, but the customer rejects it, stating it does not meet the agreed-upon requirements. What should the project manager do first?

A. Rework the deliverable to match the customer's expectations.

B. Review the requirements documentation and acceptance criteria with the customer.

C. Escalate the issue to the project sponsor for resolution.

D. Include the rejected deliverable in the project scope baseline.

Answer: B. Review the requirements documentation and acceptance criteria with the customer.

Explanation: By reviewing the documented requirements and acceptance criteria, the project manager can identify gaps or misunderstandings and address them effectively, ensuring that deliverables meet agreed expectations.

3..Midway through a construction project, a senior stakeholder requests adding a new feature to the building. How should the project manager respond?

A. Approve the change if it aligns with the stakeholder's vision.

B. Reject the change to avoid disrupting the project schedule.

C. Initiate the change request process to evaluate the impact on scope, cost, and time.

D. Implement the change immediately to maintain stakeholder satisfaction.

Answer: C. Initiate the change request process to evaluate the impact on scope, cost, and time.

Explanation: All scope changes must be analyzed and approved through the formal change control process to maintain project alignment with objectives, constraints, and stakeholder expectations.

4..During the planning phase of a project, the customer provides high-level requirements but asks for detailed design inputs before finalizing the scope. What should the project manager do?

A. Proceed with detailed design and finalize the scope later.

B. Work with the customer to define the scope at a sufficient level of detail first.

C. Begin work on the project without a finalized scope to avoid delays.

D. Ask the team to start design work while continuing scope discussions.

Answer: B. Work with the customer to define the scope at a sufficient level of detail first.

Explanation: Clearly defining the scope before starting work reduces misunderstandings, rework, and scope creep. This ensures alignment with customer expectations and project objectives.

5..The project sponsor insists on delivering additional features to impress stakeholders, even though they are not part of the agreed-upon scope. What is the project manager’s best response?

A. Agree to add the features without impacting the timeline.

B. Explain the importance of adhering to the agreed-upon scope and initiate a change request if necessary.

C. Ignore the sponsor’s request to avoid scope creep.

D. Reassign team resources to accommodate the sponsor’s request.

Answer: B. Explain the importance of adhering to the agreed-upon scope and initiate a change request if necessary.

Explanation: Educating stakeholders on the significance of scope management helps maintain project discipline. A change request ensures the additional features are evaluated and approved appropriately.

6..A project team reports that they are working on tasks not included in the work breakdown structure (WBS). What should the project manager do?

A. Approve the work as it adds value to the project.

B. Halt the work immediately and review the WBS.

C. Update the WBS to include the additional tasks.

D. Ignore the issue if it does not affect the project schedule.

Answer: B. Halt the work immediately and review the WBS. Explanation: The WBS is the foundation of scope management. Any work outside the WBS represents scope creep and must be addressed promptly to avoid misalignment with project objectives.

7..During a project to develop a mobile application, the team discovers a technical limitation that prevents implementing a feature within the current scope. What is the best course of action?

A. Remove the feature from the scope without informing stakeholders.

B. Inform stakeholders and initiate a change request to revise the scope.

C. Proceed with a partial implementation of the feature.

D. Delay the project until the limitation is resolved.

Answer: B. Inform stakeholders and initiate a change request to revise the scope. Explanation: Stakeholders should be informed of any scope changes, and the change control process should be used to evaluate and address the issue effectively.

8..The customer requests a minor change to a deliverable that will not affect the project’s schedule or cost. How should the project manager handle this?

A. Approve the change and document it as a variance.

B. Request formal approval through the change control process.

C. Implement the change without documentation since it is minor.

D. Reject the change to prevent scope creep.

Answer: B. Request formal approval through the change control process.

Explanation: Even minor changes must go through the change control process to ensure they are documented, reviewed, and approved. This prevents untracked scope creep.

9..A stakeholder is unhappy with the project scope and insists on including additional features not originally agreed upon. What is the project manager’s best response?

A. Escalate the stakeholder's demands to the project sponsor.

B. Explain the approved project scope and guide the stakeholder through the change request process.

C. Incorporate the additional features to avoid stakeholder dissatisfaction.

D. Ignore the demands to maintain project focus.

Answer: B. Explain the approved project scope and guide the stakeholder through the change request process.

Explanation: Clear communication about the scope and providing a structured way to request changes helps manage stakeholder expectations and maintain project alignment.

10..During scope validation, a key deliverable does not meet the documented acceptance criteria. What should the project manager do?

A. Request the team to fix the deliverable immediately.

B. Review the deliverable with the customer to understand the issue.

C. Accept the deliverable and document the variance for future reference.

D. Escalate the issue to senior management.

Answer: B. Review the deliverable with the customer to understand the issue.

Explanation: Validating deliverables against documented criteria ensures they meet requirements. Understanding the issue with the customer helps resolve it effectively while maintaining alignment,