CAPM Practice: Determine how to document project controls of predictive, plan-based projects

When over budget but ahead of schedule, cost-focused corrective action looks for ways to improve cost efficiency without compromising schedule or quality. Options include: using less expensive resources, substituting materials, optimizing processes, or re-estimating remaining work with a cost-focused lens. Scope reduction should only be considered if cost savings are insufficient and the client agrees.

**Why not A:** Adding more resources to speed up schedule performance would increase costs further when the project is already over budget. Since the project is ahead of schedule, there is no need to accelerate — the focus should be on cost efficiency, not speed.

**Why not C:** Accepting the overrun without taking action is not proactive project management. Being ahead of schedule does not automatically justify a cost overrun. The project manager should look for opportunities to bring costs back in line while maintaining the schedule advantage.

**Why not D:** Reducing project scope to eliminate costly requirements is a drastic measure that should only be considered as a last resort and with stakeholder agreement. Cost-focused corrective actions like using more efficient resources or processes should be evaluated first before reducing what the project delivers.