mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PK0-005 Practice Question: A project manager is leading a team in a matrix…
A project manager is leading a team in a matrix organization. The project has high priority, but the team members report to their functional managers. What is the PRIMARY challenge for the project manager?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse 'high priority' with 'high authority,' assuming the project manager has direct control over team members when in fact the matrix structure inherently limits that authority.
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
✓
Limited authority over team members
In a matrix organization, team members report to both a project manager and their functional manager. The project manager has high project priority but lacks direct authority over team members, meaning they cannot unilaterally assign work, evaluate performance, or make personnel decisions. This limited authority is the primary challenge because the project manager must rely on negotiation and influence rather than command-and-control to secure resources and commitment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Limited authority over team members
Why this is correct
Correct. In a matrix structure, team members report to functional managers, reducing the project manager's authority.
- ✗
Difficulty in communicating with stakeholders
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Communication challenges exist in any structure but are not the primary challenge of a matrix.
- ✗
Lack of project budget
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Budget is a constraint but not inherently tied to matrix structure.
- ✗
Insufficient technical skills
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Technical skills depend on team composition, not organizational structure.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This PK0-005 question is part of Courseiva's 980-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.