Which approach can project managers take to quickly respond to escalating low-priority issues?

The correct approach for project managers to respond quickly to escalating low-priority issues is to execute the contingency plan. This plan is designed to address potential risks and issues that may arise during a project. When a low-priority issue escalates, it indicates a need for a pre-defined method to address impacts without derailing the overall project pace or strategy.

Executing a contingency plan allows project managers to utilize established protocols efficiently, minimizing disruption and ensuring that resources can be allocated effectively to resolve the issue. By having a plan in place, the project team can react promptly instead of waiting to analyze or document the problem, which may delay resolution.

Other methods, such as conducting a root cause analysis, focus more on understanding the underlying causes of a problem. While valuable for long-term improvements, this approach is time-consuming and may not provide immediate relief for an escalating issue. Adding the issue to the tracking system is essential for documentation and follow-up but does not offer a proactive solution to the current problem at hand. Terminating the project is too drastic and not suitable for dealing with low-priority issues, as it can lead to more significant consequences and cost implications without necessity.