Dealing with Scope Changes in IT Projects

B.

When a change to the scope of an IT project has been formally submitted to the project manager, the project manager should take the following steps:

1. Review the change request: The project manager should carefully review the change request to understand the nature of the change, the reasons for the change, the impact of the change on the project, and the potential risks and benefits associated with the change.

2. Evaluate the change request: The project manager should evaluate the change request to determine whether it is feasible, necessary, and aligned with the project goals and objectives. The project manager should consider the impact of the change on the project's timeline, budget, resources, and deliverables, as well as the impact on stakeholders and customers.

3. Identify potential options: The project manager should identify potential options for addressing the change request, such as accepting the change, rejecting the change, or negotiating a compromise solution. The project manager should also consider the implications of each option, such as the impact on project quality, risk, and stakeholder satisfaction.

4. Obtain approval: If the project manager determines that the change is necessary and feasible, the project manager should obtain formal approval from the appropriate stakeholders and governance bodies, such as the change advisory board, steering committee, or executive sponsor. The project manager should document the approval and update the project plan accordingly.

5. Communicate the change: The project manager should communicate the change to all relevant stakeholders, including the project team, customers, vendors, and other affected parties. The project manager should explain the nature of the change, the reasons for the change, and the impact of the change on the project.

6. Update the project plan: The project manager should update the project plan to reflect the change in scope. This includes updating the project schedule, budget, resources, and deliverables to reflect the new requirements. The project manager should also update the project risk management plan and the quality management plan to reflect the impact of the change.

In summary, the correct answer to the question is A: Update the project plan to reflect the change in scope. However, the project manager should also evaluate the change request, identify potential options, obtain approval, communicate the change, and update the project plan accordingly.