In Project Risk Management, which of the following is the primary output of the Risk Management Planning process?

Introduction / Context:
Risk Management Planning is the process that decides how to conduct risk management activities for a project. It sets the framework, methods, roles, and budgeting for risk management. The key result is a plan that guides all later risk work. This question asks you to identify that plan among several possible outputs from different processes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The process is Risk Management Planning in the Risk Management knowledge area.
• The task is to choose its primary output.
• Answer choices include a risk management plan, risk register, issue log, project charter, and closure report.
• We assume PMI aligned terminology for these documents.

Concept / Approach:
In PMI structure, each planning process typically creates a management plan for its knowledge area. Risk Management Planning therefore produces the Risk Management Plan. This document defines risk management methodology, roles and responsibilities, budget, timing, risk categories, probability and impact definitions, and reporting formats. The risk register is more closely associated with Risk Identification, while the issue log, charter, and closure report belong to other groups of processes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Risk Management Planning is about deciding how risk will be handled, not yet listing specific risks in detail. Step 2: Identify the Risk Management Plan as the natural output of such a planning effort. Step 3: Examine the answer options and locate the one that explicitly names the Risk Management Plan and explains that it defines how risk activities will be structured and performed. Step 4: Option a fits this description exactly, so it must be the primary output. Step 5: Confirm that the other options represent outputs from later or unrelated processes.

Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine launching a complex project in a risky environment. Before you start listing individual risks, you first decide how to categorize risks, what scales to use for probability and impact, who will own risk processes, and how often you will review risks. All of these decisions are documented in a Risk Management Plan. Only after this is complete do you create and maintain a risk register. This sequence confirms that the Risk Management Plan is the key output of Risk Management Planning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The risk register is an important output, but it arises mainly from Risk Identification and is updated in later risk processes. The issue log is part of project execution and monitoring of existing issues, not the initial risk planning. The project charter is created in Develop Project Charter, not in risk management processes. The final closure report is created at the end of the project and is unrelated to planning risk management activities at the beginning.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes confuse planning risk management with identifying risks. Planning defines the process, while identification populates the risk register. For exam success, remember that planning outputs are management plans, and identification outputs are detailed lists such as the risk register.

Final Answer:
The primary output of Risk Management Planning is the Risk Management Plan that defines how risk management activities will be structured and performed.