If by project execution you mean the execution plan/phase of the project, then it is safe to assume that the other phases have been completed. At this point in the project progression all or a majority of background research/ investigations into potential issues as well as the dynamics around the tasks delegated have been done. This mean that the major point to focus on is “where is not going according to plan” or “what can go astray that can derail the project”. Since project managers are not always experts in the field of the project they are supervising, maintaining a steady communication channel with the experts either on the team or that are simply consultants and asking for their opinions on certain key indicating results during the execution plan can help prepare you for challenges with actual results of testing.
The ability to find the appropriate person or entity that can have an answer to a problem is just as important as finding an answer on your own, and i some cases it can save you time like in the 2nd scenario of the simulation, simply by talking to the right people you can fix a problem and as you all saw choosing the right person to talk and how you approach them, the human management aspect of PM, will likely decide if you will be a successful PM or not.