PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
During a project, a risk you identified in the risk register occurs. Your response plan was to mitigate by purchasing backup equipment. However, you discover the backup equipment is not available due to a supplier issue. What should you do first?
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
✓
Implement the contingency plan or develop a new response given the change in circumstances
The correct first action is to implement the contingency plan if one exists, or develop a new response (Option C). When a risk occurs and the planned mitigation fails, the project manager should immediately apply the fallback plan or create an alternative response. Option A (escalating to sponsor) is premature because escalation should be considered only after response options are exhausted. Option B (adding a new risk) is not the immediate action; addressing the current risk takes priority. Option D (updating the risk register) is insufficient without taking proactive steps to handle the realized risk.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Escalate the issue to the project sponsor for guidance
Why it's wrong here
Project managers are empowered to manage identified risks and should first attempt to implement pre-defined responses or develop new ones within their authority and the project's approved budget and schedule tolerances. Escalating to the project sponsor without first attempting to resolve the situation or exhausting available options is premature and undermines the PM's accountability for risk management. Escalation is typically reserved for risks that exceed the PM's authority, impact, or resources, or when the chosen response requires sponsor approval.
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Add a new risk to the risk register about supplier reliability
Why it's wrong here
The scenario describes an identified risk that has occurred or is about to occur, making it an active issue. The immediate priority is to implement a response to the materialized risk, not to identify a new, separate risk about supplier reliability. While supplier reliability might be a root cause or a related concern, the primary action is to address the specific risk event that has now become an issue, rather than adding a new entry to the risk register at this critical juncture.
- ✓
Implement the contingency plan or develop a new response given the change in circumstances
Why this is correct
When an identified risk materializes, the project manager's immediate priority is to activate the pre-defined contingency plan documented in the risk response plan, if one exists and is still appropriate. If the original plan is no longer viable or if no specific contingency was developed for the exact circumstances, the PM must promptly develop and implement a new workaround or alternative response to mitigate the impact of the now-active risk. This proactive approach minimizes disruption and keeps the project on track.
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Update the risk register to reflect that the mitigation is ineffective
Why it's wrong here
While updating the risk register is a crucial administrative step in the Monitor Risks process, it is not the first or immediate action when a risk materializes. The primary focus must be on taking corrective action to address the impact of the now-active risk. Documentation and updates, including reflecting the ineffectiveness of a prior mitigation or the implementation of a new response, should occur after the immediate response has been initiated or completed, ensuring that the project's progress is not unduly delayed.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.