PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
A project manager is leading a large construction project. The sponsor requests that the team skip a mandatory quality inspection to save two weeks on the schedule. The project manager knows that skipping the inspection could compromise safety and violate regulations. What should the project manager do?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose Option C (reducing scope) as a compromise, but the PMP exam tests the principle that mandatory requirements cannot be partially skipped—only fully compliant alternatives are acceptable.
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
✓
Explain the regulatory and safety implications to the sponsor and recommend against skipping the inspection
The project manager has a fiduciary and ethical duty to prioritize safety and regulatory compliance over schedule pressure. Skipping a mandatory quality inspection violates regulations and could lead to legal liability, project shutdown, or harm. The PM must clearly communicate these risks to the sponsor and recommend against the action, as per the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Document the sponsor's request and proceed with the inspection as planned without further discussion
Why it's wrong here
Documenting the sponsor's request and proceeding without further discussion is an inadequate response that fails to address a critical project risk. This approach neglects the project manager's responsibility for proactive stakeholder engagement and risk communication. Simply recording the request without explaining the potential regulatory and safety consequences leaves the project vulnerable to non-compliance and demonstrates a passive stance on professional obligations.
- ✗
Comply with the sponsor's request to maintain a good relationship
Why it's wrong here
Complying with the sponsor's request to skip a mandatory inspection, even to maintain a good relationship, is a serious breach of ethical conduct and professional responsibility. This action could lead to significant legal liabilities, severe safety hazards, and reputational damage for the project and organization. A PMP must prioritize adherence to regulatory requirements and the PMI Code of Ethics over short-term stakeholder satisfaction.
- ✗
Propose reducing the inspection scope rather than skipping it entirely
Why it's wrong here
Proposing to reduce the inspection scope rather than skipping it entirely still carries substantial risks of non-compliance and compromised project quality or safety. Mandatory inspections often have minimum requirements dictated by law or industry standards, which cannot be arbitrarily altered. This compromise may still violate regulations, expose the project to legal penalties, and fail to adequately mitigate potential hazards, demonstrating a misunderstanding of compliance thresholds.
- ✓
Explain the regulatory and safety implications to the sponsor and recommend against skipping the inspection
Why this is correct
Explaining the regulatory and safety implications to the sponsor and recommending against skipping the inspection is the most appropriate and professional course of action. This demonstrates the project manager's ethical leadership, commitment to compliance, and proactive risk management. By clearly articulating the potential legal consequences, safety hazards, and reputational damage, the PM empowers the sponsor to make an informed decision while upholding project integrity and public welfare.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.