PMP · Question #829
A project manager working on a large-scale network implementation is frustrated with the hardware supplier. Their deliveries have been consistently late and frequently do not have vital components…
The correct answer is A. Request assistance from the procurement department on the next steps. When changing suppliers, especially to an international one, the project manager should first engage the procurement department. Procurement specialists manage contract cancellations, supplier vetting, and new contract negotiations, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
Question
Options
- ARequest assistance from the procurement department on the next steps.
- BEngage the services of an interpreter who understands the project domain.
- CCheck social media to determine if there are any common connections that use the new supplier.
- DBecome aware of any cultural characteristics of the new supplier that could impact negotiation.0
How the community answered
(24 responses)- A75% (18)
- B4% (1)
- C13% (3)
- D8% (2)
Why each option
When changing suppliers, especially to an international one, the project manager should first engage the procurement department. Procurement specialists manage contract cancellations, supplier vetting, and new contract negotiations, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
Requesting assistance from the procurement department on the next steps is the most appropriate first action because procurement specialists are experts in vendor management, contract termination, international sourcing, and negotiating new contracts. They possess the necessary legal knowledge, established processes, and relationships to facilitate a smooth transition to a new overseas supplier, ensuring compliance and optimal terms.
Engaging an interpreter, while potentially useful later, is premature; the initial step involves internal processes and strategic procurement guidance before specific communications are needed.
Checking social media for common connections is a passive and informal approach that is not a formal first step for a critical procurement change and does not leverage internal expertise.
While cultural awareness is important for international negotiations, it is a secondary consideration. The *first* step is to involve the internal department responsible for managing supplier relationships and contracts.
Concept tested: Procurement process and vendor change management
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Bao N.Jul 5, 2026A is the right call here. The contract is being canceled and a new supplier is coming in, so the procurement department owns the transition steps and the PM should loop them in before doing anything else. B and D both jump the gun because you handle language and cultural considerations during planning and negotiating, not before you even know what the procurement process requires. C is just a distractor that sounds vaguely useful but has nothing to do with proper vendor change management. Saw this one on a practice set last week and the key is catching that word "first" in the stem.
Ingrid P.Jul 1, 2026A. Procurement owns contract changes, you do not source your own next steps.
Carlos M.Jul 2, 2026Agreed, and the trap is people see change request and immediately think project manager when the vendor contract side is strictly procurement.
Carlos M.Jul 5, 2026A is right. Procurement owns the contract switch, get them involved first.
Bao N.Jul 8, 2026A is right but flagging it as a vendor change request in your tracking system before procurement picks up the phone keeps the audit trail clean.