PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Your project is using a predictive approach. A key vendor has informed you that they will be unable to deliver a critical component on time, which could delay the project by three weeks. You have identified this risk in the risk register. What should you do first?
⚠ Common exam trap
PMP often tests the distinction between proactive risk response (implement the documented plan) and reactive issue management (escalate or improvise) — candidates incorrectly jump to escalation when the risk was already planned for.
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 plan that was documented in the risk register
Because the risk was already identified and documented in the risk register, the appropriate first action is to execute the pre-planned risk response. In predictive (waterfall) project management, identified risks have documented response strategies (avoid, transfer, mitigate, accept) with owners and triggers — when the trigger occurs, the response plan is implemented. This is the proactive, planned approach that PMBOK and the PMP exam expect.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor immediately without taking any action
Why it's wrong here
Escalating to the sponsor without taking action bypasses the risk response process defined in the risk register; the correct first step is to analyse the risk and select a response strategy (e.g., fast-tracking or crashing) within the project manager’s authority. This option is tempting because escalation is appropriate when a risk exceeds the project manager’s authority or requires sponsor-level decisions, such as a budget increase beyond the contingency reserve.
- ✗
Update the risk register and continue monitoring, as the risk was expected
Why it's wrong here
Merely updating the risk register and continuing to monitor is insufficient when an identified risk has actually occurred. While updating the register is a necessary administrative step *after* taking action, the immediate priority is to *implement* the pre-planned risk response. Passive monitoring is for risks that have not yet materialized or for tracking the effectiveness of a response, not for the initial action when a known risk eventuates.
- ✗
Ask the team to find a workaround without consulting the risk register
Why it's wrong here
Workarounds are ad-hoc responses developed for *unidentified* or *unplanned* risks that suddenly materialize. For an *expected* risk, a specific risk response strategy should have been developed and documented in the risk register during planning. Bypassing the risk register and immediately seeking a workaround for a known risk demonstrates a failure to leverage prior planning and established risk management processes.
- ✓
Implement the risk response plan that was documented in the risk register
Why this is correct
When an identified and expected risk materializes, the project manager's immediate and primary responsibility is to execute the pre-defined risk response plan. This proactive approach, documented in the risk register, ensures that the project team leverages prior analysis and planning to mitigate the impact, control the situation, and maintain project objectives, aligning with structured risk management principles.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Organizational Change Management
Organizational Change Management (OCM) is the structured approach to preparing, supporting, and guiding people through changes in an organization to ensure lasting success.
Key term
Training and Development
Training and Development is the process of enhancing team members' skills, knowledge, and competencies to improve project performance and achieve career growth.
About these practice questions
One of 820 original PMP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. 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. Your project is using a predictive approach. A key vendor notifies you that they will be unable to deliver a critical component for another four weeks. This component is on the critical path, and you have no schedule reserve left. You have identified that a different vendor can deliver in two weeks at a 20% higher cost. What should you do FIRST?
hard- A.Immediately contract the alternative vendor to avoid further delay
- ✓ B.Perform a quantitative analysis comparing the cost of the alternative vendor versus the cost of delay, then submit a change request
- C.Ask the original vendor to expedite delivery at no extra cost
- D.Update the risk register and accept the four-week delay
Why B: In a predictive (waterfall) project with no schedule reserve and a critical path delay, the first step is to perform a quantitative analysis to compare the cost of the alternative vendor (20% higher) against the cost of schedule delay (e.g., liquidated damages, lost revenue, or penalties). This analysis provides objective data to support a change request, which is the formal process to alter the project baselines. Option B aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on data-driven decision-making before taking corrective action.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PMI exam blueprint
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.