In the Perform Integrated Change Control process within Project Integration Management, what is the main objective of the change control board and the project manager?

Introduction / Context:
Perform Integrated Change Control is a critical process in Project Integration Management that ensures only approved changes are implemented in the project. It helps maintain the integrity of baselines and keeps the project aligned with organizational strategy and objectives. A formal change control board often supports the project manager in reviewing change requests. This question examines whether you understand the main objective of this process, as distinct from initiation, planning or product acceptance activities.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The process is Perform Integrated Change Control in the Monitoring and Controlling Process Group.
• Change requests may arise from many sources throughout the project life cycle.
• The project management plan and baselines must be kept under control when changes are proposed.
• The change control board and project manager are responsible for evaluating and deciding on changes.

Concept / Approach:
The main objective of Perform Integrated Change Control is to review, approve or reject change requests and to manage the impact of approved changes on project baselines, deliverables and documentation. It is integrated because it considers the effects across all knowledge areas. This process is different from creating the charter, gathering requirements or performing product acceptance testing. When selecting an answer, look for language that explicitly describes reviewing change requests and updating the plan and project artifacts accordingly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option A. It states that the board and project manager review change requests, approve or reject them, and manage changes to deliverables, project documents, organizational process assets and the project management plan. This matches PMBOK descriptions of Integrated Change Control.Step 2: Examine option B. Creating the charter and assigning the project manager belong to Develop Project Charter in the Initiating group.Step 3: Examine option C. Collecting requirements and decomposing scope into work packages are planning activities associated with Scope Management processes such as Collect Requirements, Define Scope and Create WBS.Step 4: Examine option D. Product acceptance testing with customers belongs to Validate Scope or Close Project or Phase, not to the change control process.Step 5: Conclude that option A is the only description that correctly identifies the purpose of Perform Integrated Change Control.

Verification / Alternative check:
Review the PMBOK entry for Perform Integrated Change Control. It describes this process as reviewing all change requests, approving changes and managing changes to deliverables, organizational process assets, project documents and the project management plan. It also highlights that changes are evaluated for their impact on scope, time, cost, quality, risk and resources before approval. This aligns precisely with option A and not with the alternative options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B talks about initiation activities, which are part of starting the project, not controlling changes during execution. Option C describes planning activities that occur before baselines are set. Option D focuses on a specific quality and scope acceptance activity rather than continuous control of changes. None of these mention reviewing, approving or rejecting change requests or updating baselines, which are central to Integrated Change Control.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent pitfall is assuming that change control is only about documentation and not about decision making. In reality, the core of this process is evaluating each change request in an integrated way and deciding whether it should be implemented. Another common mistake is thinking that any user requested change should be automatically accepted; a disciplined change control process protects the project from scope creep and unrealistic expectations. Understanding this helps you answer questions about change governance and baselines.

Final Answer:
The main objective of Perform Integrated Change Control is reviewing all change requests, approving or rejecting them, and managing changes to deliverables, project documents, organizational process assets and the project management plan.