Project Management Professional (PMP) — Question 357

The change control board (CCB) has approved a change request to add a new component within a product. The operations manager discovers the change after its approval and complains that the implementation of the change will cause significant disruption to the production line.
What should the project manager do first?

Answer options

• A. Formally acknowledge the operation manager's concerns and raise a new risk that the project may deliver late and over budget due to manufacturing difficulties.
• B. Escalate the issue to the project sponsor, as the decision to add the component brings many benefits even though it will be disruptive to the production line.
• C. Lead a root cause analysis workshop with the design team to identify the failures that led to the decision to add a component that was not compatible with the production line.
• D. Meet with the operations manager to explain the background for the change and understand the operation manager's concerns about the change.

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The project manager should first meet with the operations manager to gain a better understanding of the concerns about the change and provide context for the decision. This dialogue is crucial for addressing the operational impact before taking further actions. Options A, B, and C are reactive and do not prioritize understanding the immediate concerns of the operations manager.