The correct first step when a risk with an accept response occurs is to assess the impact on the project schedule and cost, and inform key stakeholders. This is because the “accept” strategy means the project team has chosen to take no proactive action before the risk materializes, but once it does, the project manager must immediately evaluate the consequences to determine if contingency reserves or workarounds are needed. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding that risk acceptance is not passive inaction—it requires a rapid impact analysis and transparent communication to trigger any pre-planned contingency or to decide on a corrective action. A common trap is assuming that “accept” means you do nothing at all, but the correct response is to first measure the damage and alert stakeholders, as this aligns with the PMBOK’s emphasis on proactive monitoring and control. Memory tip: “Accept then Act—Assess and Alert.”
PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. 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.
During a project's execution phase, a key vendor notifies you that they cannot deliver a critical component on time due to raw material shortages. The component is on the critical path, and any delay will impact the project completion date. The risk was identified and listed in the risk register with a planned response to accept. What should the project manager 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
✓
Assess the impact on the project schedule and cost, and inform key stakeholders of the situation.
The risk has occurred, and the planned response was to accept, but the project manager should first activate the contingency plan. However, since the risk has occurred and the plan was to accept, the PM must still respond appropriately. The best first step is to evaluate the impact and engage stakeholders. Option B is correct because immediately assessing the impact and communicating to stakeholders is the proactive step before implementing any response.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Implement the contingency plan as defined in the risk register.
Why it's wrong here
While the risk has occurred, the first step should be to assess the current impact and communicate before implementing any plan.
✗
Update the risk register to document the issue and close the risk.
Why it's wrong here
Updating the register is important but not the first action; the PM must address the impact first.
✓
Assess the impact on the project schedule and cost, and inform key stakeholders of the situation.
Why this is correct
The PM should evaluate the impact and communicate with stakeholders before taking action.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Direct the team to find an alternative supplier and expedite the order.
Why it's wrong here
This is a reactive action without first assessing impact and communicating.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PMP NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Assess the impact on the project schedule and cost, and inform key stakeholders of the situation. — The risk has occurred, and the planned response was to accept, but the project manager should first activate the contingency plan. However, since the risk has occurred and the plan was to accept, the PM must still respond appropriately. The best first step is to evaluate the impact and engage stakeholders. Option B is correct because immediately assessing the impact and communicating to stakeholders is the proactive step before implementing any response.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PMP NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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