Question

You are managing a complex systems integration project following a predictive lifecycle. Three months before a major milestone delivery, your technical lead identifies that integrating two vendor systems will require an interface component that was not in the original design. Without this component, the systems cannot communicate, and the milestone deliverable cannot function. Analysis shows: developing the interface will cost $185K and take 8 weeks; the milestone is on the critical path; contingency reserve has $120K remaining; and both vendors claim the interface requirement was implied in the SOW but not explicitly stated. Your legal team is investigating liability. What should you prioritize as project manager?

Accepted Answer

Immediately initiate development of the interface component using contingency reserve and submit a change request for additional funds, while legal pursues liability separately on a parallel path

Answer

Delay the interface decision until legal determines liability, focus the team on other deliverables, and prepare a schedule impact analysis to present once responsibility is established

Answer

Negotiate with both vendors to split the interface development cost three ways, use contingency reserve for your portion, and document this as a scope clarification rather than a scope change

Answer

Treat this as a defect in requirements analysis, implement corrective action by developing the interface, use management reserve to cover costs, and update the lessons learned register

PMP Practice Question: Process — Predictive, Hard

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