Risk Response and Stakeholder Communication
Your project is in the execution phase and a key vendor has notified you that they will be unable to deliver a critical component on time due to a labor strike. Which TWO actions should the project manager take? (Choose two)
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to immediately notify the project sponsor and key stakeholders about the delay and its impact. This is because risk response implementation during the execution phase requires proactive communication and activation of pre-planned contingency measures; the risk register should already contain a plan for identified threats like a vendor labor strike, and executing that plan—starting with stakeholder notification—is the mandated first step per the PMBOK Guide. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding that risk response is not just about choosing a strategy but about executing it and communicating transparently, a common trap being to delay notification while seeking alternatives. A helpful memory tip is "Notify first, then act"—stakeholders must be informed immediately before any mitigation steps are taken, ensuring alignment with the project’s communication management plan.
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse direct intervention (Option A) or passive waiting (Option C) with proper risk management, instead of recognizing that the contingency plan in the risk register is the correct, pre-authorized response.
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 documented in the risk register
The risk register should contain a contingency plan for identified risks, such as a vendor labor strike. Implementing that plan is the appropriate proactive response to mitigate the delay's impact. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's guidance on executing risk responses during the execution phase.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Travel to the vendor's site to negotiate directly with the labor union
Why it's wrong here
This is outside the PM's role and may not be effective.
- ✓
Implement the contingency plan that was documented in the risk register
Why this is correct
If this risk was identified, the planned response should be executed.
- ✗
Wait for the strike to end before taking any action
Why it's wrong here
Waiting is passive and could worsen the impact.
- ✗
Ask the vendor to find an alternative supplier without additional cost
Why it's wrong here
This may not be feasible and delays proactive response.
- ✓
Immediately notify the project sponsor and key stakeholders about the delay and its impact
Why this is correct
Stakeholders need to be informed of the situation.
Go deeper
Related to this question
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on PMP
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. Your project is in the execution phase when a new regulation is passed that affects the project's deliverables. The team is already working at full capacity. What should the project manager do FIRST?
hard- A.Instruct the team to incorporate the regulation into current work immediately.
- B.Stop all work until the regulation is fully understood.
- C.Update the risk register and continue as planned.
- ✓ D.Analyze the impact of the regulation on scope, schedule, and cost.
Why D: D is correct because the PMBOK Guide requires the project manager to first analyze the impact of a change on the triple constraint (scope, schedule, cost) before taking any action. Since the team is at full capacity, immediate incorporation (A) or stopping work (B) would be premature without understanding the regulation's effect. Updating the risk register (C) without analysis skips the necessary impact assessment step.
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.