Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlineProcessMedium
A project manager is overseeing a large-scale construction project. During a site inspection, it is discovered that the concrete mix being used by a subcontractor does not meet the specified strength requirements outlined in the contract, potentially compromising the structural integrity of a key component. What action should the project manager take NEXT?
- ANotify the client about the quality issue and potential delays.
- BImmediately replace the subcontractor with a new one.
- CDocument the non-conformance and initiate a corrective action request.
- DInstruct the subcontractor to redo the work at their own expense.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Document the non-conformance and initiate a corrective action request.
Discovering a non-conformance requires a formal process. Documenting the issue and initiating a corrective action request ensures that the problem is officially recorded, investigated, and addressed systematically, rather than reacting impulsively. This aligns with quality management principles.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Notifying the client is important, but it should typically follow the initial documentation and assessment of the non-conformance, and ideally, include a proposed solution.
- B. Replacing a subcontractor is a drastic step that should only be considered after attempting to resolve the issue through formal processes and contractual obligations.
- D. Instructing the subcontractor to redo the work is a potential solution, but it should be part of a formal corrective action process, not an immediate directive without proper documentation and analysis.
Corrective Action Request (CAR)
A formal document used to identify, evaluate, and resolve non-conformances or deviations from project requirements, standards, or plans.
- Initiated when a non-conformance is identified.
- Requires investigation, root cause analysis, and resolution planning.
- Aims to eliminate the cause of a non-conformance to prevent recurrence.
Memory trick: Spot the flaw, write it down, fix it right, then check the crown.