CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A project manager is using a predictive approach for an aircraft component project. The team has identified a risk that a critical supplier may fail to deliver a specialized alloy on time. The project manager wants to reduce the probability and impact of this risk by taking action before it occurs. Which risk response strategy should the project manager use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any proactive action is avoidance, when in fact mitigation reduces probability or impact without eliminating the risk entirely.
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
✓
Mitigate
Mitigation is the risk response strategy that reduces the probability and/or impact of a threat. The project manager wants to act before the risk occurs to lessen its effect, which is precisely what mitigation entails. Avoidance would eliminate the risk, transfer would shift it, and acceptance would not proactively reduce it. Therefore, mitigation is the best fit for the described scenario.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Avoid
Why it's wrong here
Avoidance eliminates the threat entirely by changing the project plan, such as removing the risky activity or using a different supplier altogether. While that could work, the question specifies reducing probability and impact, not eliminating the risk. Avoidance is a more drastic step and does not match the described intent of lessening the risk's likelihood or consequences.
- ✓
Mitigate
Why this is correct
Mitigation is a risk response strategy that reduces the probability and/or impact of a threat. In this scenario, the project manager wants to take action before the risk occurs to lessen the chance or effect of the supplier's late delivery. This aligns with mitigation, which is appropriate for threats where proactive measures can lower the risk exposure. Therefore, mitigation is the correct strategy.
- ✗
Transfer
Why it's wrong here
Transfer shifts the impact of the threat to a third party, often through insurance or a fixed-price contract. It does not reduce the probability of the risk occurring, and the scenario asks for reducing both probability and impact. Transfer is a valid strategy for some risks, but it does not fit the described goal of proactive reduction before the risk happens.
- ✗
Accept
Why it's wrong here
Acceptance acknowledges the risk and does not take proactive action unless the risk occurs. It can be active or passive, but it does not reduce probability or impact. Since the project manager wants to take action before the risk occurs to lessen it, acceptance is not appropriate here. It would leave the project exposed to the supplier's potential failure.
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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 PMI exam blueprint
This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CAPM exam.