Direct and Manage Project Work

Correct Answer: Update the risk register and carry out a proper risk assessment

When a new risk that was not initially identified is brought to the attention, the first action should be to 'Update the risk register and carry out a proper risk assessment'. This is because the risk register is intended to track and manage potential risks throughout the project. Ignoring the risk does not follow good project management practices. While accommodating the risk within the project plan and discussing with the team are important, they usually come after identification and assessment. In essence, they are processes that follow the decision made after risk assessment has been completed.

Correct Answer: Analyze the root causes of the budget overruns and implement corrective actions

The most appropriate action to take when team members are consistently exceeding the allocated budget for their tasks is to analyze the root causes of the budget overruns and implement corrective actions. This approach is proactive and addresses the underlying issues causing the problem.

By analyzing the root causes, the project manager can identify whether the overruns are due to inaccurate estimations, scope creep, inefficient processes, or other factors. Once the causes are understood, corrective actions can be implemented to address these issues and prevent further budget overruns.

This option is better than the alternatives because:

1. Revising the project budget to accommodate increased spending patterns does not address the root cause and may encourage further overspending.

2. Implementing strict financial controls and reducing future task budgets may negatively impact the project's quality and timeline, and does not address the reasons for the current overruns.

3. Requesting additional funding from the project sponsor should be a last resort after other options have been exhausted. It does not solve the underlying problem and may strain the relationship with the sponsor.

The chosen approach aligns with best practices in project management, focusing on identifying and addressing the root causes of issues to improve overall project performance and ensure successful delivery within budget constraints.

Correct Answer: Implement a change control process

The best approach to manage changes in a project is to 'Implement a change control process'. A change control process is designed to handle changes in a structured manner, controlling the influence of changes throughout the project lifecycle, which allows for transparency, encourages communication, and reduces risks. The other responses are not appropriate: 'inform the team not to accept any changes' is unrealistic since changes are usually unavoidable and an essential part of project management; 'accept all changes without question' is not a wise strategy as it can lead to scope-creep or other project issues; 'ask the team to determine the validity of changes' is not the key responsibility of the team members, and could lead to confusion or inconsistency in how changes are evaluated and managed.