HKSM

A risk response approach in which the project team takes actions to lower the likelihood that a threat will happen or to reduce its impact.

Key Points

• Focuses on negative risks (threats) by reducing their probability, impact, or both.
• Implemented through proactive measures documented in the risk response plan.
• Assigns a risk owner and monitors residual and secondary risks after actions are taken.
• Different from avoidance (eliminate the threat), transfer (shift it to a third party), and acceptance (acknowledge with minimal action).

Example

A key component might arrive late, threatening the schedule. The project manager adds a schedule buffer, negotiates earlier shipment, and qualifies an alternate supplier to reduce the chance and effect of a delay.

PMP Example Question

A performance risk could delay go-live if the system cannot handle peak load. The team schedules early load testing, optimizes code, and configures autoscaling. Which risk response is being used?

1. Avoidance
2. Mitigation
3. Transfer
4. Acceptance

Correct Answer: B — Mitigation (reduce likelihood or impact of a threat)

Explanation: The team is taking proactive steps to lower the chance and potential impact of the performance issue, which is mitigation.