CAPM Practice: Explain when it is appropriate to use a predictive, plan-based approach

In predictive project management, schedule changes must be assessed for their impact on the overall project. If the delay affects the critical path or requires a baseline change, it must go through integrated change control. The project manager should not unilaterally change baselines or extend the project end date without formal approval.

**Why not A:** Adjusting the plan informally and distributing an updated schedule bypasses change control. In a predictive environment, all schedule changes — especially those affecting baselines — must go through the formal change management process, not informal adjustments.

**Why not B:** Immediately extending the project end date is premature. A single task delay may or may not affect the end date depending on whether the task is on the critical path and how much float it had. The impact must be assessed before any end date change is considered.

**Why not D:** Requiring the team to work extra hours to absorb the delay is an immediate reaction that skips proper analysis. The project manager should first assess the impact of the delay on the critical path and downstream activities before determining whether overtime or other corrective actions are appropriate.