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 observes that a team member is consistently missing deadlines and producing low-quality work. The project manager suspects it is due to personal issues but the team member is reluctant to discuss. What is the best course of action?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Schedule a private one-on-one meeting to discuss performance and offer support.
Option A is correct because it aligns with the PMP's focus on servant leadership and emotional intelligence. Addressing performance issues privately respects the team member's dignity, opens a safe space to discuss potential personal issues, and allows the project manager to offer support or resources without public embarrassment, which is critical for maintaining trust and motivation.
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.
✓
Schedule a private one-on-one meeting to discuss performance and offer support.
Why this is correct
Private, supportive approach encourages openness.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Address the issue in the next team meeting to set expectations.
Why it's wrong here
Public confrontation can damage trust and morale.
✗
Reassign the team member to less critical tasks.
Why it's wrong here
Avoids the issue and may not address root cause.
✗
Report the team member to HR for performance improvement plan.
Why it's wrong here
Should be a last resort after direct discussion.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Option D (HR escalation) because they confuse performance management with punitive action, forgetting that the PMP exam prioritizes servant leadership and coaching over formal disciplinary processes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the PMI Talent Triangle, this scenario tests the 'Leadership' competency, specifically emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. The PMBOK Guide emphasizes that project managers should use 'active listening' and 'empathy' to uncover hidden issues before applying formal corrective actions. In practice, a private one-on-one meeting allows the manager to ask open-ended questions like 'I've noticed some challenges—how can I support you?' which can reveal personal stressors without forcing disclosure.
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 private one-on-one meeting to discuss performance and offer support. — Option A is correct because it aligns with the PMP's focus on servant leadership and emotional intelligence. Addressing performance issues privately respects the team member's dignity, opens a safe space to discuss potential personal issues, and allows the project manager to offer support or resources without public embarrassment, which is critical for maintaining trust and motivation.
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". 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.
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Question Discussion
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