A project manager is assigned to develop maintenance planning software for a power plant. A similar effort executed by another department was closed for poor performance. Concerned about repeating that outcome, what should the project manager do in advance to help ensure success?

The correct answer is to review lessons learned from similar projects. This proactive step allows the project manager to identify past mistakes, successful strategies, and potential pitfalls, directly addressing the concern about repeating poor performance. This is a fundamental practice in project management for continuous improvement and risk mitigation. Proceeding with execution and adding resources is reactive and doesn't prevent initial issues. Assessing risks is good, but bringing in external experts isn't the first or most comprehensive step; internal lessons learned are more directly relevant. Informing the sponsor and trying to cancel the project is an extreme and premature reaction, not a constructive solution for ensuring success.