PMI Risk Management Professional Practice Exam

When dealing with key source chemicals with a single supplier, what strategy should be employed if impurities are a concern?

1. Enhance by finding a similar substitute material from another supplier

2. Mitigate by ordering extra barrels from different batches

3. Avoid by making a change request to alter quality requirements

4. Exploit by filtering out impurities using an additional step

The correct answer is: Mitigate by ordering extra barrels from different batches

The strategy of mitigating by ordering extra barrels from different batches is particularly effective in this scenario. When dealing with key source chemicals from a single supplier, the reliance on that supplier increases the risk associated with impurities affecting the quality of the product. By ordering from different batches, the goal is to sample a varied supply. This practice can potentially reduce the impact of any impurities because it allows for the selection of batches that meet quality standards and helps identify inconsistencies in the supplier's production processes. In risk management, mitigation strategies focus on reducing the impact and likelihood of risks when they cannot be completely eliminated. This approach provides a way to diminish the risk associated with reliance on a single source, especially when impurities are a concern. By diversifying the supply within the parameters of that single supplier's offering, you create a buffer against the risk of receiving a contaminated batch, thereby maintaining greater control over the quality of the materials used. Other strategies presented may not comprehensively address the concern of impurities. For instance, finding a substitute material can introduce new uncertainties, while altering quality requirements could compromise the integrity of the end product. Filtering out impurities, though proactive, may not be viable if the source's quality is inherently unreliable or if the filtration process is not adequate to