The correct first action is to implement the contingency plan as defined in the risk response strategy. This is because the risk event was already identified in the risk register, and the contingency reserve was specifically allocated to address it; executing the pre-planned response ensures immediate action without unnecessary delay. On the PMP exam, this tests your understanding of the Implement Risk Responses process, where the key principle is to act on the planned response as soon as the risk trigger is confirmed, rather than re-assessing or escalating. A common trap is to think you should first analyze the impact or update the risk register, but the PMBOK Guide emphasizes that the contingency plan is your ready-made solution. Remember the mnemonic: "Trigger hits, plan fits"—when a known risk occurs, your first move is to execute the pre-approved response.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. 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 the project manager for a construction project. A risk event that was identified in the risk register has just occurred: a key supplier is unable to deliver critical materials on time. The risk response plan includes a contingency reserve. 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
✓
Implement the contingency plan as defined in the risk response strategy
Option A is correct because the risk response plan already defined a contingency reserve for this specific risk event. When a known risk occurs, the first action is to execute the pre-planned response, not to re-assess or escalate. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's guidance on implementing risk responses as soon as the risk trigger is confirmed.
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.
✓
Implement the contingency plan as defined in the risk response strategy
Why this is correct
The risk response plan should be executed when the 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.
✗
Immediately notify the project sponsor and ask for guidance
Why it's wrong here
While communication is important, the PM should first implement the planned response.
✗
Assess the impact of the delay on the project schedule and then decide
Why it's wrong here
The impact assessment should have been done during risk planning; now is the time to implement the response.
✗
Ask the supplier to find an alternative source at no extra cost
Why it's wrong here
This is a reactive measure that may not be feasible; the planned response should be followed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think they need to re-assess the impact or escalate to the sponsor first, but the PMP exam emphasizes executing the pre-planned risk response immediately when a known risk occurs, not deviating from the plan.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The contingency reserve is a time or cost buffer specifically allocated for identified risks. In practice, the project manager must first verify that the risk trigger (e.g., supplier delay notification) matches the risk description in the register, then immediately implement the response (e.g., activate a backup supplier from the pre-qualified list). This avoids analysis paralysis and ensures the reserve is used as intended, not for unplanned work.
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 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.
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 contingency plan as defined in the risk response strategy — Option A is correct because the risk response plan already defined a contingency reserve for this specific risk event. When a known risk occurs, the first action is to execute the pre-planned response, not to re-assess or escalate. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's guidance on implementing risk responses as soon as the risk trigger is confirmed.
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. You are the project manager for a construction project. A key vendor notifies you that they cannot deliver a critical component on time, which will delay the project by at least two weeks. The vendor was already on the risk register with a contingency plan. What should you do first?
medium
A.Immediately contact alternative vendors to find a replacement
B.Update the project schedule to reflect the delay and notify stakeholders
C.Inform the project sponsor of the delay and ask for guidance
✓ D.Activate the contingency plan outlined in the risk register
Why D: D is correct because the risk was already identified and documented in the risk register with a pre-defined contingency plan. According to the PMBOK Guide, when a risk occurs, the first action is to implement the contingency plan if one exists, as it is the planned response to the specific risk event. This ensures a structured, pre-approved approach without unnecessary delays or escalation.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.