The correct first step is to analyze the schedule impact and evaluate options such as crashing or fast-tracking. This is because, in a predictive project, the critical path determines the project’s minimum duration, and a vendor delay directly threatens that timeline. According to the PMBOK Guide’s Control Schedule process, you must first assess the variance to understand the exact delay’s effect on the critical path before deciding on corrective actions—such as crashing (adding resources) or fast-tracking (performing tasks in parallel)—rather than immediately escalating or switching vendors. On the PMP exam, this question tests your ability to apply the logical sequence of the Plan Schedule Management knowledge area, where analysis precedes action. A common trap is jumping to stakeholder notification or vendor replacement without first quantifying the impact, which can cause unnecessary panic. Remember the memory tip: “Analyze before you mobilize”—always measure the delay’s effect on the critical path before choosing a recovery technique.
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 managing a project using a predictive approach. A key vendor informs you that they will be unable to deliver a critical component on time, which will impact the critical path. 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
✓
Analyze the schedule impact and evaluate options such as crashing or fast-tracking
Option D is correct because, in a predictive project, the first step when a critical path delay is identified is to analyze the schedule impact and evaluate recovery options like crashing or fast-tracking. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's 'Plan Schedule Management' and 'Control Schedule' processes, where you assess the variance and determine corrective actions before escalating. Immediately notifying stakeholders or switching vendors without understanding the impact could lead to unnecessary panic or premature decisions.
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 notify the project sponsor and stakeholders about the delay
Why it's wrong here
Communicating without a plan may cause panic; first assess impact and options.
✗
Instruct the procurement team to find a new vendor
Why it's wrong here
This may take time and does not consider the current vendor's situation; evaluate alternatives first.
✗
Update the risk register and move on
Why it's wrong here
While updating risk register is important, action is needed to address the issue.
✓
Analyze the schedule impact and evaluate options such as crashing or fast-tracking
Why this is correct
Understanding the impact and developing mitigation strategies is the first step in responding to the risk.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to 'communicate immediately' (Option A) or 'fix the problem' (Option B) without first analyzing the impact, confusing proactive communication with the correct first step of analysis and evaluation.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
This may take time and does not consider the current vendor's situation; evaluate alternatives first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In predictive project management, the critical path determines the project's minimum duration; any delay on a critical path activity directly extends the project finish date unless schedule compression is applied. Crashing adds resources to critical path tasks (often increasing cost), while fast-tracking performs tasks in parallel (increasing risk of rework). The PMBOK Guide (6th Edition, Section 6.6) mandates that the project manager first perform a schedule impact analysis using techniques like critical path method (CPM) calculations to quantify the delay, then evaluate trade-offs before any communication or procurement changes.
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: Analyze the schedule impact and evaluate options such as crashing or fast-tracking — Option D is correct because, in a predictive project, the first step when a critical path delay is identified is to analyze the schedule impact and evaluate recovery options like crashing or fast-tracking. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's 'Plan Schedule Management' and 'Control Schedule' processes, where you assess the variance and determine corrective actions before escalating. Immediately notifying stakeholders or switching vendors without understanding the impact could lead to unnecessary panic or premature decisions.
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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Question Discussion
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