PMP Practice Questions #97
You are the project manager of a large-scale software development project. The project has reached its closing stage, and the final deliverables have been handed over to the client and accepted. During the final review, you identify a potential risk: the software may not be fully compatible with some of the client’s existing systems, which could impact the long-term benefits of the project. What is the most appropriate action project manager should take?
A. Take immediate steps to modify the software to ensure compatibility, extending the project timeline if necessary.
B. Document the risk in the final project report and recommend that the Benefit Owner monitors and addresses this risk in the future.
C. Add the risk to the project’s risk register and schedule a meeting with the project team to discuss potential mitigation strategies.
D. Request additional funding from the client to conduct a new project phase dedicated to resolving potential compatibility issues.
Analysis:
In this scenario, you are managing a large-scale software development project that is in its closing stage. The final deliverables have already been accepted by the client. However, during the final review, you’ve identified a potential risk: the software may not be fully compatible with some of the client’s existing systems, which could affect the long-term benefits of the project. The dilemma is determining the most appropriate action to address this potential compatibility issue.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Take immediate steps to modify the software to ensure compatibility, extending the project timeline if necessary. This option suggests modifying the software immediately to ensure compatibility, even if it means extending the project timeline. However, this option may be too reactive, especially since the deliverables have already been accepted by the client. It also implies additional work and potential scope change without consulting the client or stakeholders.
Option B: Document the risk in the final project report and recommend that the Benefit Owner monitors and addresses this risk in the future. This approach involves documenting the risk in the final project report and advising the Benefit Owner to monitor and address it in the future. It recognizes the project’s closure stage and shifts the responsibility of managing this future risk to the appropriate party, the Benefit Owner. The Benefit Owner is ideally positioned to oversee the long-term performance and integration of the software. This shift in responsibility is crucial because, at the closing stage, the project manager’s role in direct risk mitigation is typically reduced. Instead, the focus is on ensuring a smooth handover and closure process. It strikes a balance between acknowledging the risk and maintaining the integrity of the project’s scope and timeline.
Option C: Add the risk to the project’s risk register and schedule a meeting with the project team to discuss potential mitigation strategies. Adding the risk to the project’s risk register and discussing mitigation strategies with the team might be an appropriate action during the project execution. However, given that the project is at its closing stage, this approach might not be the most suitable, as it could imply reopening the project work unnecessarily.
Option D: Request additional funding from the client to conduct a new project phase dedicated to resolving potential compatibility issues. Requesting additional funding from the client to conduct a new project phase dedicated to resolving potential compatibility issues may be premature and could be seen as an overstep, especially since the risk’s impact is not yet confirmed.
Conclusion: Option B is the most appropriate action in this scenario. It pragmatically addresses the discovered risk without unnecessarily extending the project or reopening completed work. Documenting the risk and recommending future monitoring and action by the Benefit Owner, ensures that this potential issue is acknowledged and handed over for future consideration, aligning with the project’s current stage of closure. This approach respects the project’s boundaries and the roles of different stakeholders in the project lifecycle. It also aligns with best practices in project management for handling risks during the project closure phase.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| Process | Task 3: Assess and manage risks |
| Process | Task 17: Plan and manage project/phase closure or transitions |
| Business | Task 2: Evaluate and deliver project benefits and value |
Topics Covered
- Benefit Owner
- Benefit Management
- Project Closure
- Risk Management
