PMI Risk Management Professional Practice Exam

What type of risk strategy is assumed when a backup system administrator is being hired to support a new software application?

1. Avoid

2. Transfer

3. Mitigate

4. Accept

The correct answer is: Avoid

The correct choice reflects the strategy of avoidance in terms of risk management. When a backup system administrator is hired to support a new software application, the organization is taking proactive steps to minimize potential risks associated with the application. This hiring is geared toward addressing the risk of not having sufficient expertise or personnel in place to manage the application effectively, which could lead to system failures or downtime. By bringing in an additional resource, the organization is aiming to reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes that could arise from the implementation of the new software. This is aligned with the concept of avoiding risk, as it indicates a commitment to ensuring that there are adequate safety measures and contingency plans in place to mitigate issues related to the software's operation. The other strategies — transfer, mitigate, and accept — do not accurately represent the intention behind hiring a backup administrator in this context. Transferring risk could involve outsourcing a component of the application, while mitigating would focus on reducing the severity of potential impacts through various measures instead of preemptively hiring support. Accepting risk suggests that the organization would proceed without additional staffing, acknowledging that the risks might occur without attempting to decrease their likelihood or impact.