The answer is to reassign the departing member’s tasks to other team members and adjust the schedule, as this directly executes the pre-planned risk response already documented in the risk register. This is correct because the PMBOK Guide emphasizes that when a key team member resigns unexpectedly, the most efficient way to minimize impact is to implement the approved risk response strategy designed during risk planning, rather than improvising a new solution under pressure. On the PMP exam, this tests your understanding of the “Implement Risk Responses” process within the Execution phase, where a common trap is to jump into hiring or escalation instead of first checking the risk register for a ready-made response. A useful memory tip is “Register First, React Second”—always look to your pre-planned response before taking ad hoc actions when a critical team member resigns.
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.
Your project is in the execution phase when a key risk event from the risk register occurs: a critical team member resigns unexpectedly. You need to minimize the impact on the project. Which THREE actions should you take?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement the planned risk response from the risk register
Option B is correct because the risk register contains a pre-planned risk response for this identified risk event. Implementing that response is the most efficient and effective way to minimize impact, as it was designed and approved during risk planning. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's guidance on executing risk responses during the execution phase.
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.
✗
Inform the sponsor and ask for a project extension
Why it's wrong here
While the sponsor should be informed, asking for an extension immediately may be premature without first attempting mitigation.
✓
Implement the planned risk response from the risk register
Why this is correct
The risk was identified, so a response plan should be executed.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Arrange for knowledge transfer from the departing member before they leave
Why this is correct
Knowledge transfer is crucial to retain critical information.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Reassign the departing member's tasks to other team members and adjust the schedule
Why this is correct
Reassigning work and adjusting the schedule helps keep the project moving.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Immediately hire a replacement with the same skills
Why it's wrong here
Hiring may take time; immediate actions should focus on mitigation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a reactive, ad-hoc response (like immediately hiring a replacement) with the proper, planned risk response, failing to recognize that the risk register already contains the approved action to take.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The risk register is a living document that includes not only identified risks but also their triggers, probability, impact, and planned responses. In the execution phase, when a risk event occurs, the project manager must implement the pre-planned response (e.g., mitigation, transfer, avoidance, or acceptance) without delay. This ensures that the project remains aligned with the risk management plan and avoids ad-hoc decisions that could introduce new risks or inefficiencies.
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.
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: Implement the planned risk response from the risk register — Option B is correct because the risk register contains a pre-planned risk response for this identified risk event. Implementing that response is the most efficient and effective way to minimize impact, as it was designed and approved during risk planning. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's guidance on executing risk responses during the execution phase.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. A risk event that was identified and included in the risk register has occurred. The impact on the project schedule is moderate. What should the project manager do first?
medium
A.Ignore the event since the impact is only moderate
✓ B.Implement the agreed-upon risk response from the risk register
C.Escalate the issue to the project sponsor for guidance
D.Develop a new risk response immediately
Why B: When a risk event that was identified and included in the risk register occurs, the project manager should first implement the agreed-upon risk response that was already planned and documented. This is because the risk response plan was developed during risk planning and approved by stakeholders, making it the immediate and correct action to take. Implementing the pre-agreed response ensures a timely, consistent, and controlled reaction to the risk, minimizing disruption to the project schedule.
Variation 2. A risk event that was identified in the risk register has occurred. The risk response plan involves implementing a contingency plan. Which TWO actions should you take?
easy
A.Submit a change request to initiate the contingency plan
B.Develop a new risk response plan from scratch
✓ C.Update the risk register with the actual outcome and actions taken
D.Wait to see if the risk impact materializes further before acting
✓ E.Implement the contingency plan as defined in the risk register
Why C: Option A is correct: implementing the contingency plan is the planned response. Option D is correct: updating the risk register documents the event. Option B is wrong because developing a new plan is unnecessary if one exists. Option C is wrong because a change request is not needed for contingency plans. Option E is wrong because waiting is not proactive.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.