- A
Instruct the team to work carefully around the utility to avoid delays
Why wrong: Ignoring the safety risk is not acceptable.
- B
Stop work in the area and engage a utility locating service to identify the line
Safety first; then gather information to assess and respond.
- C
Update the risk register with this new risk and continue work
Why wrong: Continuing work without addressing the immediate safety issue is wrong.
- D
Submit a change request to adjust the project schedule
Why wrong: While a change request may eventually be needed, immediate safety actions come first.
Question 867 of 892
Unforeseen Risk: Safety Hazard from Undocumented Utility
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.
During the execution phase of a road construction project, the team discovers an unmarked underground utility line that was not shown on any plans. Working near it poses a safety risk, and the project must halt until the utility is identified and mapped. The risk register did not include this specific risk. What should the project manager 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 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
✓
Stop work in the area and engage a utility locating service to identify the line
The immediate priority is to ensure safety by stopping work in the affected area and engaging a utility locating service to identify the unmarked underground utility line. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on managing unforeseen risks that pose safety hazards, even if they are not in the risk register. The project manager must first assess and mitigate the risk before proceeding with any other actions.
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.
- ✗
Instruct the team to work carefully around the utility to avoid delays
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring the safety risk is not acceptable.
- ✓
Stop work in the area and engage a utility locating service to identify the line
Why this is correct
Safety first; then gather information to assess and respond.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Update the risk register with this new risk and continue work
Why it's wrong here
Continuing work without addressing the immediate safety issue is wrong.
- ✗
Submit a change request to adjust the project schedule
Why it's wrong here
While a change request may eventually be needed, immediate safety actions come first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may prioritize updating the risk register or submitting a change request (options C or D) as the 'first' step, but the PMP exam emphasizes that safety and immediate risk response take precedence over documentation or schedule adjustments.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In practice, underground utility locating services use electromagnetic induction or ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to detect metallic and non-metallic lines. The project manager must coordinate with local utility companies and 'Call Before You Dig' services (e.g., 811 in the US) to ensure all subsurface utilities are marked before excavation. This process is governed by standards such as ASCE 38-02 for utility mapping, which defines quality levels for locating accuracy.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Process — Managing Technical Aspects — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
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 in the area and engage a utility locating service to identify the line — The immediate priority is to ensure safety by stopping work in the affected area and engaging a utility locating service to identify the unmarked underground utility line. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on managing unforeseen risks that pose safety hazards, even if they are not in the risk register. The project manager must first assess and mitigate the risk before proceeding with any other actions.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways 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. You are the project manager for a construction project. During excavation, the team discovers an undocumented underground utility line that was not shown on any plans. This could delay the project and increase costs. Which TWO actions should you take FIRST? (Choose two.)
medium- ✓ A.Update the risk register with this new risk
- B.Stop all work until the utility line is removed
- C.Immediately notify the local utility company to remove the line
- ✓ D.Evaluate the impact on the project schedule and budget and determine if the project management plan needs updating
- E.Conduct a root cause analysis to determine why it was missed
Why A: Options A and D are correct. A: The risk register should be updated with this new risk. D: The project management plan may need to be updated to reflect changes in approach. Option B is not first; stop work pending assessment. Option C is reactive; root cause analysis is for after response. Option E is premature; the impact should be assessed first.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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