PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
You are managing a project that is currently in the execution phase. A risk event that was identified and included in the risk register has occurred. The planned response is to mitigate the risk. Which TWO documents should you update to reflect the occurrence and response? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Risk register
The risk register is updated to document the occurrence of the risk and the response taken. The lessons learned register is updated to capture knowledge about the risk response for future projects. The stakeholder engagement plan is not updated for risk occurrences; the project schedule is only updated if the risk response impacts schedule activities; the cost baseline is only updated if the response impacts the budget. Therefore, options B and C are correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Stakeholder engagement plan
Why it's wrong here
The Stakeholder Engagement Plan outlines strategies and actions to effectively engage project stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. It focuses on how to communicate with, manage expectations of, and involve stakeholders. However, it is not the appropriate document for recording the occurrence of a specific risk event or the details of its response, as its purpose is proactive engagement planning rather than reactive event logging.
- ✓
Risk register
Why this is correct
The Risk Register is the primary project document used to record, track, and manage all identified risks, their characteristics, planned responses, and current status. When a risk event materializes, the register is updated to reflect the actual occurrence, the effectiveness of the implemented response, and any resulting residual or secondary risks. This ensures a comprehensive and dynamic record of risk management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
- ✓
Lessons learned register
Why this is correct
The Lessons Learned Register serves as a repository for knowledge gained during a project, documenting successes, failures, and recommendations for future improvement. When a risk event occurs, documenting the details of its manifestation, the efficacy of the chosen response, and any unforeseen consequences provides invaluable insights. This information helps the organization continuously refine its risk management processes and enhance future project performance.
- ✗
Project schedule
Why it's wrong here
The Project Schedule details the planned activities, their durations, dependencies, and milestones, providing a timeline for project execution. While a significant risk event and its subsequent response *could* potentially impact task durations or resource availability, necessitating a schedule update, it is not an automatic or primary document to update for every risk occurrence. The schedule reflects the *consequences* of a risk, not the direct record of the risk event itself.
- ✗
Cost baseline
Why it's wrong here
The Cost Baseline represents the approved budget for the project work, against which actual costs are measured. Similar to the project schedule, a risk event and its response *might* lead to a cost baseline update if the response consumes contingency reserves or requires additional funding. However, updating the cost baseline is not an automatic action for every risk occurrence; it is only done if the financial impact is significant and formally approved through the Perform Integrated Change Control process.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder engagement is the process of identifying people or groups who have an interest in a project and actively involving them through communication and collaboration to meet their needs and expectations.
About these practice questions
This PMP question is part of Courseiva's 800-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. During a daily standup, a developer mentions that a risk identified in the risk register has occurred and is causing a one-day delay. The risk response plan includes a mitigation strategy that can be implemented immediately. What should the project manager do FIRST?
easy- A.Update the issue log and inform stakeholders of the delay
- ✓ B.Implement the planned risk response as documented in the risk register
- C.Escalate the issue to the sponsor for guidance
- D.Conduct a new risk assessment to determine the best response
Why B: When a risk occurs and a pre-planned mitigation strategy exists in the risk register, the project manager should implement that strategy immediately to minimize impact. In this scenario, the risk response plan already accounts for the one-day delay, so executing the documented mitigation is the most efficient and proactive action, aligning with the PMBOK Guide's guidance on risk response implementation.
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.