PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
You are the project manager for a construction project. A risk event that was identified in the risk register has just occurred: a key supplier is unable to deliver critical materials on time. The risk response plan includes a contingency reserve. What should you do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often think they need to re-assess the impact or escalate to the sponsor first, but the PMP exam emphasizes executing the pre-planned risk response immediately when a known risk occurs, not deviating from the plan.
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 contingency plan as defined in the risk response strategy
The risk response plan already defined a contingency reserve for this specific risk event. When a known risk occurs, the first action is to execute the pre-planned response, not to re-assess or escalate. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's guidance on implementing risk responses as soon as the risk trigger is confirmed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Implement the contingency plan as defined in the risk response strategy
Why this is correct
When a pre-identified risk materializes, the project manager's primary responsibility is to execute the pre-defined risk response strategy. Implementing the contingency plan, which was developed during risk planning, ensures a proactive and controlled approach to mitigate the negative impact. This action demonstrates effective risk management by leveraging prior analysis and agreed-upon solutions, preventing further delays or cost overruns that could arise from ad-hoc decision-making.
- ✗
Immediately notify the project sponsor and ask for guidance
Why it's wrong here
Immediately notifying the project sponsor and asking for guidance before taking any action is an inappropriate initial response. While stakeholder communication is vital, the project manager is empowered and expected to manage identified risks by implementing the planned responses first. Escalation to the sponsor should occur after the PM has initiated the planned response and assessed its effectiveness, or if the risk exceeds the PM's authority or the scope of the existing plan.
- ✗
Assess the impact of the delay on the project schedule and then decide
Why it's wrong here
Assessing the impact of the delay on the project schedule *after* the risk has occurred indicates a failure in the initial risk planning process. Comprehensive impact analysis, including schedule implications, should have been completed during the Plan Risk Responses process to inform the development of appropriate contingency plans. At the point of risk occurrence, the focus must shift from analysis to immediate execution of the pre-determined response to minimize disruption.
- ✗
Ask the supplier to find an alternative source at no extra cost
Why it's wrong here
Asking the supplier to find an alternative source at no extra cost is a reactive and potentially unrealistic demand that deviates from a planned risk response. This approach lacks the structured preparation of a contingency plan and may not be feasible or contractually enforceable, potentially leading to further delays or disputes. Effective risk management prioritizes implementing pre-approved strategies over improvising solutions that might not align with project objectives or stakeholder agreements.
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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. You are the project manager for a construction project. A key vendor notifies you that they cannot deliver a critical component on time, which will delay the project by at least two weeks. The vendor was already on the risk register with a contingency plan. What should you do first?
medium- A.Immediately contact alternative vendors to find a replacement
- B.Update the project schedule to reflect the delay and notify stakeholders
- C.Inform the project sponsor of the delay and ask for guidance
- ✓ D.Activate the contingency plan outlined in the risk register
Why D: D is correct because the risk was already identified and documented in the risk register with a pre-defined contingency plan. According to the PMBOK Guide, when a risk occurs, the first action is to implement the contingency plan if one exists, as it is the planned response to the specific risk event. This ensures a structured, pre-approved approach without unnecessary delays or escalation.
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.