A labor union contract negotiation is delaying the completion of a project to build a new manufacturing plant. Because the labor contract was due for renewal this year, the project manager documented the negotiation process as a risk to the project. The project was about to start the first phase of equipment installation at the plant when the negotiation began. How should the project manager address the situation?

While escalating the issue may seem appropriate, it is premature without first implementing the planned risk response strategies. The project manager should utilize the risk response plan to address the situation directly, reserving escalation for cases where the predefined actions are ineffective.

This option addresses potential future costs but does not deal with the immediate delay caused by the negotiation process. Acquiring resources and submitting a change request are actions that can occur later, but first, the project manager must manage the risk according to the established plan.

While discussing options with the project team could yield valuable insights, it is not the most efficient immediate response. The project manager should first implement the actions outlined in the risk response plan rather than convening a meeting that may delay addressing the current issue.