PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
A team member consistently misses deadlines, causing delays for the rest of the team. You have already spoken to the team member informally, but the behavior continues. What is the BEST next step?
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 with the team member to discuss expectations and consequences
The PM should address performance issues formally by documenting the issue and discussing it with the team member, setting clear expectations and consequences. This follows a progressive discipline approach.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Remove the team member from the project
Why it's wrong here
Removing a team member from the project is a drastic measure and typically considered a last resort after all other corrective actions, coaching, and formal performance improvement plans have been exhausted. Premature removal incurs significant costs related to recruitment, onboarding, and potential project delays, while also negatively impacting overall team morale and stability. The Project Manager's initial responsibility is to attempt to resolve performance issues directly through communication and support.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the team member's functional manager
Why it's wrong here
Escalating the issue to the team member's functional manager as a first step bypasses the Project Manager's direct responsibility for team performance and conflict resolution within the project context. While functional managers hold administrative authority, the Project Manager should first attempt to address performance issues directly with the team member. Premature escalation can undermine the PM's authority, strain inter-departmental relationships, and prevent direct problem-solving, although it may become necessary if direct intervention fails.
- ✓
Have a formal meeting with the team member to discuss expectations and consequences
Why this is correct
Having a formal meeting with the team member is the most appropriate first step, aligning with PMP principles of proactive performance management and clear communication. This allows the Project Manager to formally articulate the specific performance gap, reiterate project expectations, understand potential root causes from the team member's perspective, and collaboratively establish a corrective action plan. Documenting this discussion, including agreed-upon actions and potential consequences for continued non-compliance, is crucial for tracking progress and ensuring accountability.
- ✗
Reassign the team member to less critical tasks
Why it's wrong here
Reassigning the team member to less critical tasks is an avoidance strategy that fails to address the root cause of the performance issue. While it might temporarily mitigate risk on critical tasks, it does not resolve the underlying skill gap, motivational problem, or behavioral issue. This approach can lead to a perception of favoritism or demotion, negatively impact the team member's development, and ultimately shift the problem rather than solving it, potentially affecting other project areas.
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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.