When does a scope change occur?

• A. At project initiation
• B. After the change has been approved
• C. Before the change request
• D. During project closeout

Answer: (B)

Scope changes only become real when they’ve gone through formal change control and been approved. A change request is raised to alter scope, then evaluated for its impact on scope, schedule, cost, and risk. If the Change Control Board (or the designated authority) approves it, the project’s baselines are updated and the change is implemented. If it isn’t approved, the current scope stays as is. This is why the timing of a scope change is after approval, not before or during initiation or closeout.