The correct answer is to stop work immediately and contact the local authorities as per the risk response plan. This is the right first action because the risk has materialized, and the project management process requires you to implement the risk response plan exactly as documented in the risk register. When a previously identified risk occurs, you do not re-analyze or create a new response; you execute the pre-approved mitigation strategy to minimize impact. On the Project Management Professional PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the "Implement Risk Responses" process, which is part of the Risk Management knowledge area. A common trap is to think you need to first assess the situation or update the risk register, but the correct sequence is to act on the planned response immediately. Memory tip: "When a risk strikes, execute what you wrote—don't pause to take a vote."
PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
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 managing a project to build a new office building. During excavation, the team discovers an unexpected archaeological site. This is a risk that was identified in the risk register with a low probability and high impact. The mitigation plan was to contact local authorities. 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
✓
Stop work immediately and contact the local authorities as per the risk response plan
The risk has occurred, so the first step is to implement the planned risk response. This is proactive and follows the risk management plan.
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 to the project sponsor for a decision
Why it's wrong here
The plan already defines the response; the PM should execute it first, then inform stakeholders.
✗
Direct the team to continue work and cover the site to avoid delays
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring the issue could lead to legal and regulatory consequences.
✗
Update the risk register and mark the risk as closed
Why it's wrong here
The risk has occurred; it should be updated as an issue, not closed.
✓
Stop work immediately and contact the local authorities as per the risk response plan
Why this is correct
Implementing the planned response is the correct first action when a risk occurs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
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.
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Stop work immediately and contact the local authorities as per the risk response plan — The risk has occurred, so the first step is to implement the planned risk response. This is proactive and follows the risk management plan.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
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.
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.
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Question Discussion
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