The correct answer includes a risk description as one of the two key elements typically found in a risk register. This is because the risk description provides the essential, clear statement of the risk event, its cause, and its potential impact, which allows the project team to understand and track each identified risk. The other mandatory element is a risk owner, who is assigned accountability for monitoring the risk and executing the response plan. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of the risk register as a core project management artifact, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish required fields from optional ones. A common trap is confusing the risk description with the risk trigger or impact rating, but remember that the description is the narrative backbone of the entry. For a quick memory tip, think of the risk register as a "DO" list: Description and Owner are the two non-negotiable elements.
PK0-005 Project Management Concepts Practice Question
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project management concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO elements are typically included in a risk register? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Risk owner
The risk register is a core project management artifact that documents identified risks. A risk owner (B) is essential because it assigns accountability for monitoring and managing the risk response. A risk description (E) is also mandatory as it provides the clear, concise statement of the risk event, its cause, and its potential impact, enabling the project team to understand and track the risk.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Risk response strategy
Why it's wrong here
Response strategies are documented in the risk response plan, which is developed after the risk register is created.
✓
Risk owner
Why this is correct
Assigning an owner ensures accountability for monitoring and responding to the risk.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Probability and impact matrix
Why it's wrong here
The probability and impact matrix is a tool used to evaluate risks, not a typical element of the risk register itself.
✗
Risk trigger
Why it's wrong here
Triggers are indicators, but they are not always listed in the risk register; they may be included in the response plan.
✓
Risk description
Why this is correct
A clear description of each risk is essential for understanding and tracking.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the risk register (which stores basic risk data) and the risk response plan (which contains detailed strategies and triggers), causing candidates to mistakenly include risk response strategy or risk trigger as direct elements of the risk register.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the risk register is a living document that evolves throughout the project lifecycle, with fields like risk ID, description, owner, probability, impact, and status. In practice, a risk owner is assigned to ensure proactive monitoring, and the risk description must follow a structured format (e.g., 'If [cause], then [risk event], leading to [impact]') to avoid ambiguity. Real-world project management tools like Jira or Microsoft Project often enforce these fields as mandatory to maintain traceability and accountability.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Risk owner — The risk register is a core project management artifact that documents identified risks. A risk owner (B) is essential because it assigns accountability for monitoring and managing the risk response. A risk description (E) is also mandatory as it provides the clear, concise statement of the risk event, its cause, and its potential impact, enabling the project team to understand and track the risk.
What should I do if I get this PK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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