CPSM CPSM Configuration Management & Change Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first step in a formal change control process?
- Implementing the change immediately
- Submitting a Change Request (CR) describing the proposed change (Correct answer)
- Updating the project schedule
- Notifying all team members via email
Correct answer: Submitting a Change Request (CR) describing the proposed change
A formal change request documents the proposed change, its rationale, and impact, initiating the change control process.
Question 2: What is scope creep, and how does change control help manage it?
- Scope creep is intentional feature expansion; change control is unrelated
- Scope creep is unauthorized growth of project scope; change control prevents unapproved additions (Correct answer)
- Scope creep refers to budget overruns; change control tracks spending
- Scope creep is a testing phase; change control defines test cases
Correct answer: Scope creep is unauthorized growth of project scope; change control prevents unapproved additions
Scope creep is the uncontrolled addition of features without proper approval; a change control process ensures all scope changes are formally evaluated.
Question 3: A configuration audit verifies which of the following?
- That the project budget is accurate
- That configuration items conform to their documented requirements and that all changes are properly recorded (Correct answer)
- That team members have completed required training
- That the deployment environment is properly sized
Correct answer: That configuration items conform to their documented requirements and that all changes are properly recorded
A configuration audit ensures that software items match their specifications and that configuration management records are complete and accurate.
Question 4: What is the purpose of impact analysis in change management?
- To determine team performance metrics
- To assess how a proposed change will affect other parts of the project, including schedule, cost, and related artifacts (Correct answer)
- To prioritize defect repairs
- To generate release notes
Correct answer: To assess how a proposed change will affect other parts of the project, including schedule, cost, and related artifacts
Impact analysis evaluates the ripple effects of a change request across requirements, design, code, tests, and project constraints before approval.
Question 5: In version control, what is a 'branch' used for?
- Permanently deleting old code versions
- Creating an independent line of development to work on features or fixes without affecting the main codebase (Correct answer)
- Merging two separate projects together
- Documenting code review comments
Correct answer: Creating an independent line of development to work on features or fixes without affecting the main codebase
A branch creates a divergent copy of the codebase, allowing isolated development of features or bug fixes that can later be merged back.
Question 6: Which document typically records the history of all changes made to a software configuration item?
- Project charter
- Change log or configuration status accounting report (Correct answer)
- Risk register
- Statement of work
Correct answer: Change log or configuration status accounting report
A change log or configuration status accounting report provides a historical record of all approved changes applied to configuration items.
What is the first step in a formal change control process?