Question 123 of 892

Process — Managing Technical Aspects →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Vendor Delay on Critical Path — Cost Analysis

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.

Your project is using a predictive approach. A key vendor notifies you that they will be unable to deliver a critical component for another four weeks. This component is on the critical path, and you have no schedule reserve left. You have identified that a different vendor can deliver in two weeks at a 20% higher cost. 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.

A
Immediately contract the alternative vendor to avoid further delay
Why wrong: Contracting without assessing the impact and obtaining approval bypasses change control and procurement procedures.
B
Perform a quantitative analysis comparing the cost of the alternative vendor versus the cost of delay, then submit a change request
PMI recommends analysis before decision. Submitting a change request ensures formal approval.
C
Ask the original vendor to expedite delivery at no extra cost
Why wrong: Unlikely to resolve the issue; the vendor already indicated inability.
D
Update the risk register and accept the four-week delay
Why wrong: Accepting without exploring mitigation options is not proactive.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Perform a quantitative analysis comparing the cost of the alternative vendor versus the cost of delay, then submit a change request

In a predictive (waterfall) project with no schedule reserve and a critical path delay, the first step is to perform a quantitative analysis to compare the cost of the alternative vendor (20% higher) against the cost of schedule delay (e.g., liquidated damages, lost revenue, or penalties). This analysis provides objective data to support a change request, which is the formal process to alter the project baselines. Option B aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on data-driven decision-making before taking corrective action.

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.

✗
Immediately contract the alternative vendor to avoid further delay
Why it's wrong here
Contracting without assessing the impact and obtaining approval bypasses change control and procurement procedures.
✓
Perform a quantitative analysis comparing the cost of the alternative vendor versus the cost of delay, then submit a change request
Why this is correct
PMI recommends analysis before decision. Submitting a change request ensures formal approval.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ask the original vendor to expedite delivery at no extra cost
Why it's wrong here
Unlikely to resolve the issue; the vendor already indicated inability.
✗
Update the risk register and accept the four-week delay
Why it's wrong here
Accepting without exploring mitigation options is not proactive.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often jump to 'contract the alternative vendor' (Option A) because it seems like a quick fix, but the PMP exam requires following the formal change control process, which starts with analysis and a change request, not direct action.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Quantitative analysis in this context often involves calculating the cost of delay (e.g., using the 'cost of delay' formula: delay duration × cost per unit time, such as daily penalty rates or lost revenue) and comparing it to the 20% cost premium of the alternative vendor. For example, if the delay costs $10,000 per week and the alternative vendor's premium is $5,000, the net benefit is $15,000. This analysis feeds into a change request, which triggers the integrated change control process (PMBOK 4.6) to formally update the schedule and budget baselines.

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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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: Perform a quantitative analysis comparing the cost of the alternative vendor versus the cost of delay, then submit a change request — In a predictive (waterfall) project with no schedule reserve and a critical path delay, the first step is to perform a quantitative analysis to compare the cost of the alternative vendor (20% higher) against the cost of schedule delay (e.g., liquidated damages, lost revenue, or penalties). This analysis provides objective data to support a change request, which is the formal process to alter the project baselines. Option B aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on data-driven decision-making before taking corrective action.

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.

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