The answer is to implement the contingency plan defined in the risk register. This is correct because the risk was already identified and documented, meaning the project team had proactively developed a planned response during the Plan Risk Responses process. When a risk occurs, the PMBOK Guide directs you to execute that pre-defined contingency plan first, as it is the most efficient and controlled way to minimize impact on the critical path. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Implement Risk Responses process, which is often confused with workarounds for unidentified risks. A common trap is to jump into problem-solving or escalate immediately, but the correct first step is always to follow the documented plan. Memory tip: if it’s in the register, use the plan—don’t reinvent the wheel.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A key vendor informs you that they cannot deliver a critical component on time due to a raw material shortage. This component is on the critical path. The risk was identified and documented in the risk register. What should you do FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement the contingency plan defined in the risk register
Since the risk was already identified and documented in the risk register, the project team should have prepared a contingency plan for this specific scenario. The PMBOK Guide states that when a risk occurs, the first action is to implement the pre-defined contingency plan to minimize impact. This is a proactive, planned response rather than a reactive scramble, and it aligns with the 'Plan Risk Responses' and 'Implement Risk Responses' processes.
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.
✗
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor
Why it's wrong here
Escalation is not the first step if a risk response plan exists.
✓
Implement the contingency plan defined in the risk register
Why this is correct
The risk register should contain a response; implementing it is the appropriate action.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Contact the vendor to negotiate a new delivery date
Why it's wrong here
This may be part of the response but is not the first step; the PM should follow the risk plan.
✗
Immediately look for an alternative vendor
Why it's wrong here
This bypasses the planned risk response; the PM should follow the risk management plan.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'first action' with 'immediate problem-solving' (like negotiating or finding a new vendor) instead of recognizing that the documented contingency plan is the prescribed first step per PMI's risk response framework.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In risk management, a contingency plan is a set of pre-defined actions to be taken if a specific risk event occurs, and it is typically funded by a contingency reserve. The risk register should contain the risk trigger (e.g., 'vendor raw material shortage'), the contingency plan (e.g., 'activate secondary supplier'), and the owner. Implementing this plan first ensures the project stays on track without unnecessary delays or escalation, and it preserves the integrity of the risk management process.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement the contingency plan defined in the risk register — Since the risk was already identified and documented in the risk register, the project team should have prepared a contingency plan for this specific scenario. The PMBOK Guide states that when a risk occurs, the first action is to implement the pre-defined contingency plan to minimize impact. This is a proactive, planned response rather than a reactive scramble, and it aligns with the 'Plan Risk Responses' and 'Implement Risk Responses' processes.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A key vendor has notified you that they cannot deliver a critical component on time due to a raw material shortage. This component is on the project's critical path. What should you do first?
medium
A.Initiate legal proceedings against the vendor for breach of contract
B.Crash the schedule by adding resources to other tasks to compensate for the delay
C.Immediately escalate the issue to the project sponsor
✓ D.Evaluate the impact on the project schedule and identify possible alternatives, such as sourcing from another vendor
Why D: Option D is correct because the first step in any project management issue is to analyze the impact and explore alternatives before taking action. Since the component is on the critical path, any delay directly affects the project finish date, so you must evaluate schedule impact and identify options like sourcing from another vendor to mitigate the risk.
Variation 2. A key vendor informs you that due to raw material shortages, they cannot deliver a critical component on time. This component is on the critical path. The risk register included this as a high-probability risk with a contingency plan to use an alternative supplier. What should you do FIRST?
medium
A.Ask the project sponsor to approve the alternative supplier
B.Replan the project schedule to accommodate the delay
C.Perform a new risk analysis to assess the impact
✓ D.Activate the contingency plan and engage the alternative supplier
Why D: D is correct because the risk was already identified, assessed as high-probability, and a contingency plan (alternative supplier) was documented in the risk register. When the risk occurs, the first action is to execute the pre-approved contingency plan, not to reanalyze or seek new approvals, as the plan was already vetted during risk planning.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
Question Discussion
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This PMP 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 PMP exam.
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