Which option can the project sponsor approve?
A project analyst at the fictional Alder Basin Energy compares two ways to deliver a reviewed data package.
The question
The whole-project cap is $120,000 and the team already spent $30,000 on preparation. The package is due by the end of week 8. Each option covers the same required evidence. Choose the lower cost among plans that meet the scope, cap and date. The sponsor owns changes to the cap or deadline.
| Option A | Option B | |
|---|---|---|
| Remaining cost ($) | 85000 | 72000 |
| Finish week | 6 | 8 |
Choose one option for the complete package.
“Tell the sponsor which option fits and explain what changes when new quotes arrive.”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Which options qualify at opening?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Choose A because it finishes first
Tempting, but it misses something. Both plans meet the date. The stated decision uses the lower cost among those plans.
Choose B and state the lack of time cushion
The strong move. B costs less while meeting the cap and deadline.
Reject B because week 8 is outside the deadline
Tempting, but it misses something. The package is due by the end of week 8, so week 8 qualifies.
See how a strong candidate says it
“A totals $115,000 and finishes in week 6. B totals $102,000 and finishes in week 8. Both fit. I would propose B at $13,000 less and note that it meets the cutoff exactly.”
Why it works: The lower cost option meets the full scope and the stated date.
Step 2: How do you count the amount already spent?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Compare remaining costs against the full $120,000 cap
Tempting, but it misses something. The $30,000 already spent uses part of that cap.
Charge the past cost to only the option that finishes later
Tempting, but it misses something. The preparation spending applies to either plan.
Count past cost in both totals and compare remaining costs
The strong move. This checks the whole-project cap and explains the difference between the options.
See how a strong candidate says it
“The $30,000 counts toward the whole-project cap. That leaves $90,000. A needs $85,000 more and B needs $72,000 more. The common preparation cost does not change the $13,000 difference.”
Why it works: The cap includes past and remaining costs. The two options share the same past cost.
Step 3: What changes when B is delayed?
B’s independent review is now available in week 10. B’s cost and A’s opening terms are unchanged.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Keep B because it costs less
Tempting, but it misses something. It would miss the deadline for the complete reviewed package.
Remove the independent review to keep B on time
Tempting, but it misses something. The package requires that evidence. The analyst cannot change the scope.
Recommend A under the revised dates
The strong move. A now meets the full scope, deadline and cap.
See how a strong candidate says it
“B now finishes in week 10, two weeks late. A still fits at $115,000 in week 6. I would change the recommendation to A because the reviewed package is due in week 8.”
Why it works: B’s cost remains lower. Its new review date puts it outside the stated requirements.
Step 4: What do you ask the sponsor to decide?
A’s revised quote adds $12,000 and sets delivery of the complete reviewed package for week 8. B’s revised terms stay the same.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Approve A by counting only its remaining cost
Tempting, but it misses something. The whole-project total includes preparation and exceeds the cap.
Ask the sponsor to decide between the explicit gaps or seek a new quote
The strong move. This keeps the evidence scope and shows what each plan would require.
Present B as on time if an unreviewed package is available
Tempting, but it misses something. The deadline applies to the reviewed package.
See how a strong candidate says it
“A now totals $127,000, $7,000 over the cap. B remains $102,000 and needs two more weeks. Neither meets all requirements. I would ask the sponsor about the budget, cutoff or a new quote.”
Why it works: Both options still need the same reviewed evidence. The sponsor can decide whether to change a constraint.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Give the sponsor the options that fit and the exact gaps for the rest.
- Because
- A plan can meet its budget and still miss the required evidence date.
- What would change it
- A new quote or a sponsor decision on the cap or date could make a full option feasible.
Common traps
- Include prior spending in the whole-project cap.
- Keep the required review in the delivery date.
Check your answer
- I compared totals and dates.
- I accounted for past spending.
- I revised the recommendation after the delay.
- I gave the sponsor the cost and time gaps.
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026