A company is launching a new product that must pass industry regulatory approval before release. Due to strong market demand, the company wants to launch as soon as possible. What should the project manager do to pursue this opportunity?

The project manager's primary responsibility is to ensure the project meets its objectives while adhering to all applicable constraints, including regulatory requirements. Complying with regulations is non-negotiable for product launch. To meet the "as soon as possible" goal, the project manager should focus on schedule compression techniques (e.g., crashing or fast-tracking) within the bounds of compliance. Contacting the regulatory authority for an exception is unlikely to be granted for a mandatory approval and could be seen as an attempt to circumvent rules. Hiring a third-party expert might be part of the solution but doesn't replace the project manager's responsibility to ensure compliance and manage the schedule. Escalating to the CEO is inappropriate at this stage; the project manager should first explore solutions within their authority and expertise.