During execution a client requests an additional feature. Change analysis shows the required equipment won’t be available in time, leaving the team idle. What should the project manager do next?

The correct answer is Perform integrated change control. Any change request, especially one impacting scope, schedule, and resources, must go through the formal Integrated Change Control process. This ensures the change is properly evaluated, approved or rejected, and its impact on the project objectives and baselines is managed. Establishing a contingency reserve is a proactive risk management activity, not a direct response to an immediate resource constraint caused by a change request. Renting ready-made equipment might be a viable solution identified during change control, but it's not the first step; the change itself needs formal processing. Escalating the risk to senior management might be necessary if the change control board cannot resolve the issue, but it follows the initial change control process.