The answer is to schedule a virtual meeting with both team members to discuss and resolve the conflict. This is correct because the PMBOK Guide’s Collaborate/Problem Solve technique requires the project manager to address interpersonal conflicts directly through open communication, especially in a globally distributed team where time zone differences and asynchronous work styles can escalate tension. By facilitating a synchronous discussion, the project manager creates a space for mutual understanding of constraints and collaborative problem-solving, which is the proactive first step before escalating or imposing a solution. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your grasp of conflict resolution in virtual environments, a frequent trap where test-takers might jump to formal mediation or documentation too early. Remember the memory tip: “Talk first, escalate last”—direct, collaborative dialogue is always the PMBOK’s starting point for distributed team friction.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project manager is leading a globally distributed team. Two team members from different time zones have conflicting work styles, leading to missed deadlines and tension. What is the best first step for the project manager to resolve this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Schedule a virtual meeting with both team members to discuss and resolve the conflict.
Option B is correct because the PMBOK Guide emphasizes that the project manager should first address interpersonal conflicts directly through collaboration and communication. Scheduling a virtual meeting allows both team members to discuss their work styles, understand each other's constraints (e.g., time zone differences), and find a mutually acceptable solution, which aligns with the 'Collaborate/Problem Solve' conflict resolution technique. This step is proactive and respects the team's autonomy, which is critical for globally distributed teams.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Reassign tasks to separate the team members and minimize interaction.
Why it's wrong here
Avoids the conflict rather than resolving it.
✓
Schedule a virtual meeting with both team members to discuss and resolve the conflict.
Why this is correct
Direct, facilitated conflict resolution is the recommended approach.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ignore the conflict and hope the team members resolve it themselves.
Why it's wrong here
Conflict rarely resolves on its own and may escalate.
✗
Escalate the issue to the functional managers of both team members.
Why it's wrong here
Escalation is not the first step; the PM should attempt resolution first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Option A (reassign tasks) because it seems like a quick fix to separate conflicting parties, but the PMP exam prioritizes collaborative resolution over avoidance, as per the 'Manage Team' process in the People domain.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In globally distributed teams, time zone differences and cultural work style variations are common sources of conflict. The PMBOK Guide's 'Conflict Management' process recommends using the 'Collaborate/Problem Solve' technique first, which involves open dialogue to integrate multiple perspectives. This approach is supported by the 'Team Charter' and 'Ground Rules' artifacts, which should define how conflicts are addressed. Real-world scenarios show that virtual meetings with structured agendas (e.g., using the 'Interest-Based Relational Approach') can turn conflict into innovation by aligning on shared project goals.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Schedule a virtual meeting with both team members to discuss and resolve the conflict. — Option B is correct because the PMBOK Guide emphasizes that the project manager should first address interpersonal conflicts directly through collaboration and communication. Scheduling a virtual meeting allows both team members to discuss their work styles, understand each other's constraints (e.g., time zone differences), and find a mutually acceptable solution, which aligns with the 'Collaborate/Problem Solve' conflict resolution technique. This step is proactive and respects the team's autonomy, which is critical for globally distributed teams.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "first". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A project manager is leading a globally distributed team with members in four time zones. During a virtual sprint retrospective, two senior developers accuse each other of not completing tasks on time, causing delays. Emotions are high, and the rest of the team is watching. What should the project manager do FIRST?
medium
A.Reprimand both developers publicly during the retrospective for unprofessional behavior
B.Escalate the issue to the functional managers of both developers
✓ C.Schedule a private video call with both developers to listen to their perspectives and mediate a solution
D.Ask the team to ignore the conflict and focus on the upcoming sprint goals
Why C: Option C is correct because the immediate priority for a project manager is to de-escalate the conflict privately and understand each developer's perspective before making any decisions. This aligns with the PMI People domain principle of servant leadership and conflict resolution, where the first step is to listen and mediate in a safe, private environment to preserve team trust and psychological safety.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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This PMP 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 PMP exam.
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