PMI-RMP Risk Identification Tools 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A facilitator asks each participant to silently write ideas, then shares and ranks them as a group to prevent dominant voices from skewing input. Which technique is this?
- Nominal group technique (Correct answer)
- Delphi technique
- Free-form brainstorming
- Affinity diagramming
Correct answer: Nominal group technique
The nominal group technique structures brainstorming by having participants silently generate ideas before group ranking, reducing dominance bias.
Question 2: Why is the lessons learned repository considered a valuable risk identification input?
- It reveals risks that materialized on prior similar projects (Correct answer)
- It calculates exact probability values
- It replaces the need for stakeholder interviews
- It automatically updates the risk register
Correct answer: It reveals risks that materialized on prior similar projects
Historical lessons learned highlight risks experienced on comparable projects, helping anticipate recurring threats and opportunities.
Question 3: An affinity diagram supports risk identification primarily by doing what?
- Grouping identified risks into categories to reveal patterns (Correct answer)
- Quantifying schedule impact
- Selecting risk response strategies
- Determining residual risk
Correct answer: Grouping identified risks into categories to reveal patterns
Affinity diagrams organize a large number of identified risks into natural groupings, exposing themes and patterns.
Question 4: Which risk identification tool is a predetermined list developed from historical information accumulated on similar projects?
- Checklist analysis (Correct answer)
- Prompt lists
- SWOT analysis
- Influence diagrams
Correct answer: Checklist analysis
Checklist analysis uses a list built from prior projects' risk data, though it should be supplemented since no list is exhaustive.
Question 5: A key limitation of checklist analysis during risk identification is that it:
- May lead teams to overlook risks not on the list (Correct answer)
- Requires expensive software
- Cannot be reused across projects
- Always produces quantitative results
Correct answer: May lead teams to overlook risks not on the list
Checklists can cause teams to miss novel risks absent from the list, so they should not be the only identification tool used.
Question 6: Which technique applies a systematic 'what if' examination, such as in a HAZOP study, to discover deviations that could become risks?
- Structured what-if analysis (Correct answer)
- Decision tree analysis
- Monte Carlo simulation
- Reserve analysis
Correct answer: Structured what-if analysis
Structured what-if (and HAZOP) studies probe deviations from intended conditions to systematically uncover potential risks.
Question 7: When using brainstorming for risk identification, what role does a categorization framework such as the Risk Breakdown Structure play?
- It ensures comprehensive coverage across risk sources (Correct answer)
- It assigns numeric probabilities
- It eliminates the need for a facilitator
- It approves the contingency budget
Correct answer: It ensures comprehensive coverage across risk sources
Using an RBS during brainstorming prompts the team across all risk categories, improving completeness of identification.
PMI-RMP Risk Identification Tools 3
A facilitator asks each participant to silently write ideas, then shares and ranks them as a group to prevent dominant voices from skewing input.
Which technique is this?