Issue
A present condition or circumstance that could influence or affect the project's objectives.
Key Points
- Exists now and requires attention; unlike a risk, it is not uncertain.
- Recorded in an issue log with an owner, priority, and target resolution date.
- May need escalation or decisions and can trigger change control if baselines are impacted.
- Can affect scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, or stakeholder satisfaction.
Example
During system testing, a critical interface fails, blocking progress. The project manager logs an issue, assigns an owner to investigate, assesses impacts on the test schedule and budget, escalates to the sponsor for a decision, and raises a change request if the plan must be adjusted.
PMP Example Question
A stakeholder reports that last night's data migration failed and testing cannot proceed. How should the project manager categorize and handle this?
- Add it as a risk and plan a response later.
- Log it as an issue, assign an owner, manage it through the issue process, and initiate change control if needed.
- Treat it as an assumption to be validated.
- Document it as a dependency and continue with the plan.
Correct Answer: B — Log and manage it as an issue
Explanation: The event has already occurred and is affecting objectives now, so it is an issue requiring immediate tracking, ownership, and potential change control.
