Program Management Professional (PgMP) — Question 163

A biometrics firm has a facial recognition program with multiple components and project managers. The project manager from the mobile device division escalates a vendor-related risk to the program manager. After assessing the risk, the program manager determines that this risk may impact other projects within the program. However, this risk has a low degree of impact and probability of occurring.
What should the program manager do first?

Answer options

• A. Obtain a risk reserve from the executive sponsor, and execute a contingency plan.
• B. Communicate the risk to all project managers to manage at the component level.
• C. Add the risk details and analysis to the program risk register.
• D. Brainstorm with the project manager to develop an appropriate risk response.

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The program manager should first add the risk details and analysis to the program risk register, as this helps in maintaining an organized record of all identified risks. While communicating with project managers and developing a risk response are important, they are secondary steps that come after documenting the risk properly. Obtaining a risk reserve is unnecessary at this stage given the low impact and probability.