HKSM
Risk Exploiting
A positive-risk response in which the team deliberately takes actions to make the opportunity certain and capture its benefits.
Key Points
- Used for opportunities (positive risks), not threats.
- Focuses on making the opportunity happen with certainty, not merely increasing its likelihood.
- May involve assigning top resources, adopting proven solutions, changing scope, or resequencing work to lock in the gain.
- Distinct from enhance (raise probability), share (partner to realize the benefit), and accept (take no proactive action).
Example
To secure an early-finish bonus, the project manager assigns the most experienced team, switches to a proven modular design, and fast-tracks approvals so the early completion is guaranteed.
PMP Example Question
A project offers a $200,000 incentive if completed two weeks early. The project manager assigns the best performers, books an additional crane, and adopts a proven construction method to ensure the earlier finish. Which risk response strategy is being used?
- Exploit
- Enhance
- Share
- Accept
Correct Answer: A — Exploit
Explanation: The manager is taking deliberate steps to guarantee the opportunity occurs, which is exploiting the opportunity.
