Explanation
According to the PMBOK Guide, the project manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring risk responses throughout the project life cycle. One of the tools and techniques for implementing risk responses is contingency reserves, which are funds or time allocated for known risks that may affect the project objectives. Contingency reserves can help the project manager mitigate the impact of risks, as well as provide flexibility and options for the project. In this scenario, a risk was raised during the initiation of a project, that the supplier discontinued software support for one of the project's required inputs. The project manager planned a reserve budget to allow the project to continue in the event of this occurrence. However, when the risk is realized, the project manager should not assume that the reserve budget is sufficient or appropriate to deal with the situation. The project manager should inform the sponsor that the risk has been realized and that a decision has to be made for the project to continue, using contingency reserves as a tool.
This option can help the project manager communicate the status and impact of the risk, as well as seek the sponsor's guidance and approval for using the reserve budget or any other alternative actions. Asking the supplier to continue providing software support, telling the project team to stop work, or advising the supplier that the sponsor will pay for software support are not the best options, as they do not address the issue of risk response implementation, or may be unrealistic or ineffective to resolve the situation. References: PMBOK Guide, 7th edition, pages 263-264, 11.4 Implement Risk Responses.