PMP · Question #1171
A project manager who works for a company involved in several industries is asked to lead a software development project for a government agency. The company attempted to execute similar projects for
The correct answer is B. Review the lessons learned registers from the previous projects.. When taking on a project similar to past unsuccessful ventures, the project manager should review prior lessons learned to identify pitfalls and best practices.
Question
A project manager who works for a company involved in several industries is asked to lead a software development project for a government agency. The company attempted to execute similar projects for other industries before but was unsuccessful. What should the project manager do to ensure project success?
Options
- AContinue executing the project using expert judgment.
- BReview the lessons learned registers from the previous projects.
- CDocument this information in the risk management plan.
- DDevelop a contingency plan to prepare for possible risks.
How the community answered
(22 responses)- A9% (2)
- B86% (19)
- C5% (1)
Why each option
When taking on a project similar to past unsuccessful ventures, the project manager should review prior lessons learned to identify pitfalls and best practices.
Continuing execution solely based on expert judgment, without analyzing past failures, is a risky approach and ignores valuable historical data.
Reviewing lessons learned registers from previous, similar unsuccessful projects is crucial to identify root causes of failure, understand what went wrong, and incorporate those insights to avoid repeating mistakes and improve the current project's chances of success.
Documenting this information in the risk management plan is a subsequent step, but the first action is to gather and analyze the information from past failures.
Developing a contingency plan is part of risk response planning, which comes after identifying and analyzing risks, including those uncovered by lessons learned.
Concept tested: Organizational Process Assets (OPA) and lessons learned
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Samuel O.Oct 27, 2025B is the move here. In my experience those lessons learned registers are gold, especially when the company has a track record of faceplanting on similar work, so you dig into what went wrong before you repeat it.
Orla P.Oct 13, 2025B is correct here. Since the company already tried similar projects and failed, the lessons learned register is exactly where you find out what went wrong so you do not repeat those mistakes.
Luis F.Oct 15, 2025Agreed on B, and just to add, the lessons learned register is also an input you would actually update during this project so you are capturing new lessons as you go, not just reading old ones.
Luis F.Oct 20, 2025Going with C here. The company has a track record of failing on similar projects, so documenting that historical failure pattern in the risk management plan is exactly what you do before anything else, it makes sure the team is aware of the risk from day one.
Orla P.Oct 23, 2025B is correct here. The scenario is asking you to identify the specific risk, which lands in the risk register, not the risk management plan. The risk management plan describes your methodology and process for handling risks overall, while the register is where you log the actual identified risks like this company's history of project failures.