PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Midway through your project, a key vendor informs you that they cannot deliver a critical component on time, which will impact the critical path. The risk was identified in the risk register with a 'mitigate' response. What should you do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the 'mitigate' response with a 'transfer' or 'avoid' response, leading them to choose negotiation (Option D) or immediate escalation (Option A) instead of executing the pre-planned contingency plan.
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 that was developed for this risk
Since the risk was already identified and a 'mitigate' response was planned, the correct first action is to implement the contingency plan that was developed for this risk. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's risk response execution process, where pre-planned actions are taken immediately when the risk trigger occurs, without waiting for additional approvals or negotiations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Inform the sponsor of the delay and request additional budget
Why it's wrong here
Informing the sponsor and requesting additional budget immediately is premature and bypasses the project manager's primary responsibility to manage identified risks. A project manager should first attempt to execute the pre-defined risk response plan, such as a contingency plan, to mitigate the impact of the risk event. Escalation to the sponsor, especially for budget, should only occur if the planned responses are insufficient or fail, indicating a need for higher-level intervention or resources beyond the project's authority.
- ✗
Issue a change request to update the project schedule
Why it's wrong here
Issuing a change request to update the project schedule is a formal process that typically follows the execution of a risk response, not precedes it. While a delay will likely necessitate a schedule update, the immediate and most effective action is to implement the pre-planned contingency to minimize the impact. The actual impact and the required schedule adjustments can only be accurately determined after the risk response has been executed, making the change request a subsequent step.
- ✓
Implement the contingency plan that was developed for this risk
Why this is correct
Implementing the contingency plan developed for this risk is the correct and most effective immediate action. Contingency plans are pre-defined, approved courses of action specifically designed during the Plan Risk Responses process for identified risks that materialize. Executing this plan demonstrates proactive risk management, utilizes the planning effort, and aims to mitigate the risk's impact efficiently, often preventing the need for more drastic measures or escalation.
- ✗
Meet with the vendor to negotiate an expedited delivery
Why it's wrong here
Meeting with the vendor to negotiate an expedited delivery, while a potential solution, is an ad-hoc response that should not be the immediate first step when a contingency plan exists. The project's risk management plan likely includes specific, pre-approved strategies for such vendor delays. Resorting to immediate negotiation bypasses the planned response, which might be more comprehensive, cost-effective, or aligned with overall project strategy, and should only be considered if the primary contingency fails.
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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.