PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
A team member consistently misses deadlines, causing delays in the project. The project manager has had informal conversations with the team member, but the issue persists. 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
✓
Schedule a private meeting with the team member to discuss the issue, identify root causes, and create a performance improvement plan with clear expectations
The correct action because it directly addresses the performance issue collaboratively, aiming to understand root causes and set clear expectations through a documented performance improvement plan. This aligns with PM best practices for managing team member performance. Option A is incorrect because reassigning without addressing the root cause may shift the problem rather than solve it. Option B escalates prematurely before attempting direct resolution. Option D is punitive and may damage team morale without understanding underlying issues.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reassign the team member to a less critical task to minimize impact
Why it's wrong here
Reassigning a team member to a less critical task is a temporary workaround that fails to address the underlying performance issue. This approach merely shifts the problem rather than solving it, potentially leading to similar issues in other project areas or with different team members if the root cause, such as skill gaps, resource constraints, or unclear expectations, remains unaddressed. It also neglects the project manager's responsibility for team development and problem resolution.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the team member's functional manager immediately
Why it's wrong here
Immediately escalating an issue to a functional manager bypasses the project manager's primary responsibility for direct communication and conflict resolution within their project team. Such premature escalation can significantly damage team morale and trust, making the project manager appear unwilling or unable to manage their team effectively. Escalation should typically be considered a last resort, only after direct intervention, coaching, and collaborative problem-solving attempts have proven ineffective.
- ✓
Schedule a private meeting with the team member to discuss the issue, identify root causes, and create a performance improvement plan with clear expectations
Why this is correct
Scheduling a private meeting exemplifies effective project management by prioritizing direct, empathetic communication to understand the situation from the team member's perspective. This collaborative approach facilitates identifying the true root causes of missed deadlines, whether they stem from skill gaps, resource constraints, or external factors. Developing a performance improvement plan with clear, measurable expectations demonstrates a commitment to supporting the team member's success while ensuring project objectives are met through accountability.
- ✗
Remove the team member from the project and replace them with a more reliable resource
Why it's wrong here
Removing a team member from the project without prior attempts to resolve performance issues is an extreme and premature action. This drastic measure incurs significant costs and delays associated with recruiting, onboarding, and integrating a new resource, who would also require time to understand project specifics and team dynamics. Furthermore, such an action can severely negatively impact overall team morale and trust, signaling a lack of commitment to team development and collaborative problem-solving.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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