PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
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?
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
✓
Assess the impact on the project schedule and cost, and inform key stakeholders of the situation.
The risk has materialized, and the planned response was to accept, meaning no proactive action was pre-planned. However, the project manager must first assess the impact of the risk on the project schedule and cost, and inform key stakeholders of the situation. This aligns with the PMBOK process of 'Implement Risk Responses' and 'Communications Management'. Option C is the correct first step because it involves gathering information and engaging stakeholders before making decisions. Option B (updating the risk register and closing the risk) is premature without impact assessment. Option A (implementing the contingency plan) is not applicable since the plan was to accept. Option D (directing the team to find an alternative supplier) is a potential response, but it should follow assessment and stakeholder communication.
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
Implementing a contingency plan immediately, without first assessing the specific impact of the materialized risk, can be premature. The original contingency might be designed for a different severity or context, and executing it without current impact analysis could lead to an overreaction, an insufficient response, or even trigger a plan that is no longer optimal for the actual situation. A project manager must first understand the current state before deploying a predefined solution.
- ✗
Update the risk register to document the issue and close the risk.
Why it's wrong here
Updating the risk register and closing the risk, while an important administrative step in the Monitor Risks process, is not the immediate priority when a risk event occurs. The primary concern is to manage the actual issue that has arisen and mitigate its impact on the project objectives. Documentation should follow the initial assessment and communication, ensuring that the issue's resolution is properly addressed before merely closing the associated risk entry.
- ✓
Assess the impact on the project schedule and cost, and inform key stakeholders of the situation.
Why this is correct
Assessing the impact on the project schedule and cost, along with informing key stakeholders, is the most appropriate immediate action. This step ensures the project manager fully understands the magnitude of the issue across critical project constraints before deciding on a response. Communicating promptly with stakeholders manages expectations, maintains transparency, and allows for collaborative decision-making regarding potential changes or necessary actions, aligning with effective stakeholder engagement.
- ✗
Direct the team to find an alternative supplier and expedite the order.
Why it's wrong here
Directing the team to find an alternative supplier and expedite an order is a reactive solution that bypasses critical initial steps. This action assumes a specific solution without first fully assessing the actual impact, evaluating other potential responses, or consulting with stakeholders. Such a hasty decision could lead to unnecessary costs, suboptimal choices, or even exacerbate the problem if the full scope of the issue is not yet understood.
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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.