PMP · Question #705
A project manager leads a software development project in a hybrid environment. During project planning, the project manager identified a risk where a technical resource for a critical path item may…
The correct answer is A. Consult the risk register for an appropriate planned risk response and implement. When a previously identified risk, such as a critical resource becoming unavailable, materializes, the project manager's immediate action should be to consult and implement the pre-defined risk response plan documented in the risk register.
Question
Options
- AConsult the risk register for an appropriate planned risk response and implement.
- BRevise the project management plan and move the task to a time when the technical resource will
- CReview the business requirement with stakeholders and exclude the task assigned to the
- DUpdate the lessons learned report and the risk log to reflect that this risk has materialized.
How the community answered
(21 responses)- A81% (17)
- B10% (2)
- C5% (1)
- D5% (1)
Why each option
When a previously identified risk, such as a critical resource becoming unavailable, materializes, the project manager's immediate action should be to consult and implement the pre-defined risk response plan documented in the risk register.
The project manager had already identified this risk and, as part of proper risk management planning, would have developed a response plan. When the risk materializes, the correct immediate action is to consult the risk register to identify the planned response (e.g., fallback resource, contingency plan) and execute it to mitigate the impact.
Revising the project management plan and moving the task is a reactive measure that should only be considered if no prior risk response was planned or if the planned response is ineffective, and it does not leverage the proactive planning already done.
Reviewing business requirements to exclude a critical path task is a drastic measure, suggesting a potential scope reduction, which should only be a last resort and not the first action when a risk materializes and a response plan should exist.
Updating the lessons learned report and risk log is important for future projects and continuous improvement but is a retrospective action after dealing with the current materialized risk, not the immediate next step to address the present issue.
Concept tested: Risk Response Implementation
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/risk-management
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Prof. SaraMar 18, 2026A is correct. Since the PM already identified this availability risk during planning, the risk register should contain a planned response, such as a backup resource or a contingency plan. The PMI mindset is to always follow the documented risk response rather than improvising a new solution on the fly. Option D is premature because you must execute the response before updating lessons learned, and option B skips the established process. Use my mnemonic RIP for risk events: Respond, Implement, Post-update.
Yuki V.Mar 7, 2026A on my exam last month. Risk already identified, so just execute the planned response.
Ingrid P.Mar 21, 2026A is correct because the risk was already identified during planning, so the register should have a documented response ready to execute. D is the trap here since you do update the risk log eventually, but logging lessons learned while the critical path is burning is putting the cart before the horse.
Nina C.Mar 23, 2026Thanks for that breakdown, and to confirm my understanding, you pick A because the question hinges on recognizing the risk is already in the register with a planned response, so executing it immediately is the priority over any administrative updates.
Nina C.Apr 7, 2026Got a very similar question on my exam last month and picked A because the whole point of identifying a risk during planning is that you already have a response ready to go when it happens. D is tempting because it feels productive but updating logs is what you do after you handle the crisis, not instead of handling it.