Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

Why do changes in baselines require formal review and sign-off?

1. To increase team morale

2. To create additional documentation

3. To prevent scope creep

4. To enhance stakeholder communication

The correct answer is: To prevent scope creep

Changes in baselines require formal review and sign-off primarily to prevent scope creep, which refers to the uncontrolled expansion of a project’s scope without corresponding adjustments to time, costs, and resources. When baselines are set, they define the original scope, objectives, timelines, and costs of a project. Any change to these established parameters can have significant implications on the project’s success. By requiring formal review and sign-off for changes in baselines, organizations can ensure that all stakeholders are aware of and agree to the revised aspects of the project. This formal process promotes accountability and clarity, making it less likely for unauthorized changes to take place, hence safeguarding the integrity of the project plan. While the other options may have their own merits, they do not directly address the critical need to control and manage project scope. Increasing team morale, creating additional documentation, or enhancing stakeholder communication, while beneficial in their own right, do not specifically relate to the necessity of formal validation concerning baseline changes and the avoidance of scope creep.