hardMultiple Choice
PK0-005 Practice Question: A project is being executed in a matrix…
A project is being executed in a matrix organization. The project manager discovers that a functional manager is reassigning a key team member to another project without notice. What should the project manager do first?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that the project manager has full authority over resources in a matrix organization, leading candidates to immediately escalate or accept the loss instead of first negotiating with the functional manager.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Negotiate with the functional manager to retain the resource.
In a matrix organization, the project manager shares authority over resources with functional managers. The first step should be to negotiate directly with the functional manager to retain the key team member, as this aligns with the principle of collaborative conflict resolution and resource management. This approach preserves the relationship and allows for a mutually agreeable solution before escalating or making reactive adjustments.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Escalate to the project sponsor.
Why it's wrong here
Escalating to the sponsor skips the direct negotiation with the functional manager that matrix organisations expect first. It is tempting because sponsors can compel resolution, but escalation is the correct step only after the project manager's own negotiation attempts have failed.
- ✗
Accept the loss and adjust the schedule.
Why it's wrong here
Accepting the loss abandons the project manager's responsibility to negotiate resource commitments with the functional manager first. It is tempting when escalation feels confrontational, but it applies only after negotiation and escalation have genuinely failed and the schedule must be formally rebaselined.
- ✗
Immediately replace the team member.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the member immediately commits budget and onboarding effort before the functional manager's reassignment is even discussed or challenged. It is tempting as decisive action, yet it is correct only once negotiation and escalation confirm the resource is permanently unavailable.
- ✓
Negotiate with the functional manager to retain the resource.
Why this is correct
In a matrix organisation the functional manager controls resource allocation, so the project manager must first negotiate to retain the team member. Escalation or re-planning follows only if negotiation fails, making this the appropriate first action.
About these practice questions
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PK0-005 exam.