PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
A project team member, who is a key technical expert, has been consistently missing deadlines. The project manager has already discussed the issue informally, but performance has not improved. What should the project manager do next?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose escalation (Option A) too quickly, mistaking a functional manager for the first line of performance management, when PMI expects the project manager to first use formal direct communication and a PIP.
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
✓
Have a formal meeting to discuss the issue and create a performance improvement plan
After informal discussions have failed, the project manager should follow a structured performance management process. Having a formal meeting to discuss the issue and create a performance improvement plan (PIP) documents the problem, sets clear expectations, and provides a timeline for improvement, which aligns with the PMI's emphasis on addressing performance issues systematically before considering escalation or replacement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the team member's functional manager
Why it's wrong here
In a matrix organization, the Project Manager's primary responsibility is to directly manage project team performance and resolve issues. Immediately escalating to the functional manager without first engaging the team member directly bypasses the PM's authority and responsibility for performance management. This premature escalation can undermine the PM's leadership, damage trust within the project team, and is not the initial best practice for addressing performance concerns.
- ✗
Replace the team member with a more reliable resource
Why it's wrong here
Replacing a key technical expert is a drastic and costly measure that should only be considered as a last resort after all other performance management strategies have been exhausted. Without first attempting to address the performance issues through a structured process, such as a formal performance improvement plan, this action is premature. Furthermore, replacing a team member can lead to significant project delays, knowledge loss, and negatively impact overall team morale and stability.
- ✗
Assign a mentor to help the team member catch up on missed deadlines
Why it's wrong here
While providing support through mentoring can be beneficial for skill development, simply assigning a mentor does not directly address the accountability for past missed deadlines or the underlying causes of performance deficiencies. This approach shifts the responsibility for performance improvement without clearly defining expectations, consequences, or a structured plan for the individual to rectify their performance. The Project Manager must directly manage the performance issue, not just provide supplementary support.
- ✓
Have a formal meeting to discuss the issue and create a performance improvement plan
Why this is correct
This is the most appropriate and professional initial step for addressing a team member's performance issues, aligning with PMP best practices. A formal meeting allows the Project Manager to clearly communicate specific performance gaps, reiterate expectations, and collaboratively develop a structured performance improvement plan (PIP). This approach ensures documentation, provides the team member with a clear opportunity to improve, outlines necessary support, and establishes clear consequences, fostering accountability and professional development.
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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.