CAPM Practice Question: Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
During a project, two team members have a conflict that is affecting progress. The project manager attempts to resolve it but fails. What is the next best action?
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
✓
Escalate to the project sponsor
Escalate to the project sponsor. When the project manager cannot resolve a conflict, escalation to the sponsor is appropriate because the sponsor has authority over project decisions and can help resolve the issue. Option A is incorrect because the PMO provides guidance and standards but typically lacks direct authority over team conflicts. Option B is incorrect because reassigning a team member is a drastic measure that should only be considered after other resolution attempts have failed. Option D is incorrect because if the project manager's attempt failed, asking the team to resolve it themselves is unlikely to succeed and may exacerbate the situation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Request guidance from the PMO
Why it's wrong here
PMO may advise but not resolve directly.
- ✗
Reassign one team member to another project
Why it's wrong here
This could be disruptive and is a last resort.
- ✓
Escalate to the project sponsor
Why this is correct
Sponsor can provide authority to resolve or make decisions.
- ✗
Ask the team to resolve it themselves
Why it's wrong here
The conflict is affecting progress; self-resolution may not work.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI 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 CAPM exam.