hardMultiple Choice
PK0-005 Practice Question: A project manager is updating the risk register…
A project manager is updating the risk register after a risk event occurred. The risk response plan included a contingency reserve, but the actual impact was higher than expected. What should the project manager do next?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is jumping to budget escalation or risk closure — candidates must recognize that a realized risk becomes an issue and must be logged in the issue log as the immediate next step.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update the issue log with the problem and its impact.
When a risk event actually occurs and its impact exceeds the planned contingency reserve, it transitions from a risk to an issue. The project manager should record it in the issue log with the problem and its impact so it can be actively managed, escalated, and tracked. This is the immediate next step before seeking additional funding or reassessing the schedule.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Request additional budget from the sponsor.
Why it's wrong here
Requesting additional budget skips the required step of documenting the actual outcome and updating the risk register before escalating. It is tempting because the reserve was insufficient, but the project manager must first record the realised impact and revise the response plan, then pursue funding through the change control process.
- ✗
Close the risk in the risk register.
Why it's wrong here
Closing the risk is premature: the event has occurred and its impact exceeded the reserve, so residual and secondary risks remain active. Closing tempts because the risk has materialised, but the register entry must be updated with actual impact and any new risks identified before closure is considered.
- ✓
Update the issue log with the problem and its impact.
Why this is correct
The risk has materialised and exceeded the contingency reserve, so it is now an active issue requiring tracking. Recording it in the issue log captures the actual impact and enables escalation, distinct from the risk register's forward-looking purpose.
- ✗
Perform a Monte Carlo simulation to reassess schedule risk.
Why it's wrong here
Monte Carlo simulation models overall schedule risk across many variables; it does not address a realised risk whose impact exceeded the contingency reserve. It is tempting as a quantitative risk technique, but the immediate need is to update the register and escalate the funding shortfall, not to re-run probabilistic schedule analysis.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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