PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
A project team member has been consistently missing deadlines for the past two weeks, causing delays for dependent tasks. When you speak with them, they mention personal issues but assure you they will catch up. What is the BEST approach?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'escalation' (Option B) with proper project management procedure, but the PMP exam expects you to first attempt direct, supportive resolution before involving higher authorities for a non-critical, short-term issue.
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
✓
Offer support such as flexible hours or counseling resources, and set clear expectations with a recovery plan
It aligns with the PMP's emphasis on servant leadership and emotional intelligence. By offering support (flexible hours, counseling) and collaboratively setting a recovery plan, you address the root cause (personal issues) while maintaining accountability, which is more effective than punitive or escalatory measures for a temporary performance dip.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Redistribute the team member's tasks to others to avoid delays
Why it's wrong here
Redistributing a team member's tasks to others without first addressing the root cause of their missed deadlines is generally counterproductive. This approach merely shifts the burden to other team members, potentially leading to their overload and resentment, while failing to resolve the original performance issue. It also demotivates the struggling team member by signaling a lack of confidence and opportunity for improvement, rather than offering support or a path to accountability.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the team member's functional manager
Why it's wrong here
Escalating the issue directly to the team member's functional manager should be considered a later step, reserved for situations where direct project-level interventions have failed or are inappropriate. As a project manager, the initial responsibility is to engage in direct communication and problem-solving with the team member. Premature escalation can undermine the project manager's authority, damage team morale, and bypass opportunities for direct resolution and coaching within the project context.
- ✓
Offer support such as flexible hours or counseling resources, and set clear expectations with a recovery plan
Why this is correct
This is the most appropriate action because it embodies a balanced approach of empathy and accountability, central to effective project management. Offering support, such as flexible hours or counseling resources, demonstrates servant leadership and helps address potential underlying issues impacting performance. Concurrently, setting clear expectations and developing a recovery plan ensures the team member understands their responsibilities and has a structured path to improve, aligning individual performance with project objectives.
- ✗
Issue a formal warning to the team member about performance
Why it's wrong here
Issuing a formal warning about performance is a disciplinary action that is premature at this initial stage of addressing missed deadlines. Such a measure should typically follow a process of direct communication, an attempt to understand root causes, and the provision of support or a performance improvement plan. A formal warning without prior supportive intervention can damage trust, further demotivate the team member, and escalate the situation unnecessarily, hindering rather than helping resolution.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others to communicate and lead effectively.
Key term
Training and Development
Training and Development is the process of enhancing team members' skills, knowledge, and competencies to improve project performance and achieve career growth.
About these practice questions
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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.