The answer is to implement the risk response that was documented in the risk register. This is correct because the risk was already identified and analyzed, meaning a pre-planned response strategy—such as mitigation, transfer, or acceptance—was agreed upon and recorded. When a known risk materializes, the Project Management Professional PMP exam emphasizes that the first action is to execute that pre-approved response, not to re-analyze or escalate unnecessarily. This tests your understanding of the risk response implementation process, a key output of Plan Risk Responses, and the trap is choosing to update the register or contact stakeholders first. On the exam, remember that the risk register is your playbook for known risks; the moment a trigger occurs, you execute the play. Memory tip: “When the risk hits, run the script—don’t rewrite it.”
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. 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.
Midway through a construction project, a key vendor notifies you that they cannot deliver critical steel beams on time due to a factory fire. This risk was identified and included in the risk register. What should the PM 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
✓
Implement the risk response that was documented in the risk register
Since the risk was already identified and documented in the risk register, the project manager must first follow the pre-planned risk response. This ensures a structured, timely reaction without unnecessary escalation or ad-hoc decisions. Option C is correct because the risk response plan is the authoritative source for the first action when a known risk occurs.
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.
✗
Contact the vendor and negotiate a new delivery date
Why it's wrong here
This is reactive and may not be the planned response; the risk register should guide actions.
✗
Immediately place an order with a backup vendor
Why it's wrong here
Without assessing the planned response, this could bypass the risk management process.
✓
Implement the risk response that was documented in the risk register
Why this is correct
The risk response plan exists for this situation; executing it is the correct first step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Inform the sponsor and ask for instructions
Why it's wrong here
The PM should take action based on the plan, not escalate without attempting the planned response first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the need for immediate action (options A or B) with the correct process of first consulting the risk register, or they escalate prematurely (option D) instead of executing the pre-planned response.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In risk management, the risk register contains the risk response plan for each identified risk, which may include contingency plans, fallback plans, or workarounds. The PM must first execute the documented response (e.g., activating a pre-qualified backup vendor) to maintain control and avoid scope creep or schedule delays. Real-world example: a construction PM who immediately calls the backup vendor without checking the risk register might duplicate orders or violate contractual terms.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement the risk response that was documented in the risk register — Since the risk was already identified and documented in the risk register, the project manager must first follow the pre-planned risk response. This ensures a structured, timely reaction without unnecessary escalation or ad-hoc decisions. Option C is correct because the risk response plan is the authoritative source for the first action when a known risk occurs.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A key vendor informs you that they will be unable to deliver a critical component on time due to a production issue. This component is on the critical path. What should the project manager do FIRST?
medium
A.File a claim against the vendor for breach of contract.
B.Update the risk register and inform the sponsor about the delay.
✓ C.Analyze the impact on the project schedule and explore mitigation options such as fast-tracking or alternate suppliers.
D.Immediately find a new vendor to deliver the component.
Why C: Option C is correct because the immediate priority when a critical path component is delayed is to analyze the schedule impact and identify mitigation options (e.g., fast-tracking, crashing, or alternative suppliers) before escalating or taking contractual action. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's iterative risk response process, where the project manager must first assess the situation and determine feasible corrective actions to minimize schedule variance.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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