PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
You are managing a project where a risk identified in the risk register has occurred. The risk response plan calls for mitigation, but the mitigation action will delay the critical path by 2 weeks. The project has no schedule reserve. What should the project manager do FIRST?
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 risk response as planned and then submit a change request for the schedule delay
The risk response should be implemented as planned to address the risk; then the PM should assess the impact and submit a change request for the schedule delay (since no reserve). Option A is wrong because ignoring the risk response could have negative consequences; the response must be implemented. Option B is wrong because schedule compression techniques may be considered after the impact is known and after implementing the response, not before. Option D is wrong because the PM should first implement the response and assess impact before escalating; escalation is premature at this point.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Avoid implementing the risk response to protect the schedule
Why it's wrong here
Avoiding the implementation of a planned risk response is incorrect project management practice. Risk responses are developed to mitigate, transfer, avoid, or accept identified risks, and failing to execute them leaves the project vulnerable to the full impact of the risk event, which could be far more detrimental than a schedule delay. Any schedule impact resulting from the response implementation should be formally managed through the integrated change control process, not by abandoning the risk strategy.
- ✗
Use schedule compression techniques to offset the delay before implementing the response
Why it's wrong here
Applying schedule compression techniques *before* implementing the planned risk response is premature and potentially ineffective. The primary objective is to address the identified risk first to prevent its occurrence or reduce its impact. Only after the risk response is executed and the actual schedule impact is fully assessed can the project manager accurately determine the necessity and feasibility of schedule compression, such as fast-tracking or crashing, as a secondary mitigation for the resulting delay.
- ✓
Implement the risk response as planned and then submit a change request for the schedule delay
Why this is correct
This is the correct course of action because the primary responsibility is to execute the pre-planned risk response to manage the identified risk effectively. Once the response is implemented, the project manager must accurately assess the actual impact on the project schedule. Any resulting deviation from the baseline schedule then necessitates a formal change request, which will be processed through the integrated change control system to obtain approval for adjusting the project baselines.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor for a decision
Why it's wrong here
Escalating the issue directly to the project sponsor for a decision at this stage is premature and bypasses the project manager's authority and responsibility. Project managers are empowered to implement approved risk responses. Only after executing the planned response, assessing its full impact, and determining that the resulting deviation or required change is beyond the project manager's authority or budget/schedule tolerance should escalation to the sponsor or other stakeholders be considered for guidance or approval.
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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.