Quick Answer
The answer is mitigate. Cross-training a backup designer is a classic example of a mitigation risk response because it directly reduces the impact of the key graphic designer leaving, ensuring the project can continue with minimal disruption. Mitigation focuses on lowering either the probability or the severity of a risk, and here, the probability of the designer leaving remains unchanged, but the impact is significantly reduced by having a trained substitute. On the Project Management Professional PMP exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish mitigation from avoidance (which would eliminate the risk entirely, such as hiring a permanent second designer) or transfer (like insuring against the loss). A common trap is confusing mitigation with contingency plans, but mitigation is proactive and implemented before the risk occurs, whereas contingency is a reactive response after the risk has materialized. Remember the memory tip: “Mitigation makes the risk less painful, not gone.”
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. 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.
You are the project manager for a marketing campaign. During the planning phase, you identify a risk that a key graphic designer may leave the company. You decide to cross-train another team member as a backup. This is an example of which risk response?
Transfer
Why wrong: Transfer would shift the risk to a third party, e.g., insurance or outsourcing.
Mitigate
Mitigation reduces the probability or impact. Cross-training reduces impact if the designer leaves.
Avoid
Why wrong: Avoid would mean changing the project plan to eliminate the risk, e.g., outsourcing the design.
Accept
Why wrong: Acceptance means acknowledging the risk and taking no proactive action, which is not the case here.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Mitigate
Cross-training reduces the impact of the risk by having a backup. This is a mitigation strategy because it reduces the probability or impact of the risk.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Transfer
Why it's wrong here
Transfer would shift the risk to a third party, e.g., insurance or outsourcing.
Mitigate
Why this is correct
Mitigation reduces the probability or impact. Cross-training reduces impact if the designer leaves.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Avoid
Why it's wrong here
Avoid would mean changing the project plan to eliminate the risk, e.g., outsourcing the design.
Accept
Why it's wrong here
Acceptance means acknowledging the risk and taking no proactive action, which is not the case here.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PMP 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
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Mitigate — Cross-training reduces the impact of the risk by having a backup. This is a mitigation strategy because it reduces the probability or impact of the risk.
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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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