PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
A team member has been consistently missing deadlines, causing the team to pick up the slack. The PM has had informal conversations, but the behavior persists. What should the PM do NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates may jump to 'escalate to HR' (Option C) thinking it's the most decisive action, but the PMP exam emphasizes that the PM should first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the team member using a structured performance improvement plan before involving HR or termination.
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 private meeting to discuss performance issues and establish a performance improvement plan
The PM should first address the performance issue directly with the team member through a private meeting to discuss the missed deadlines and collaboratively establish a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). This aligns with the PMI's focus on leading the team, using conflict resolution and performance management techniques before escalating. Informal conversations have failed, so a structured PIP provides clear expectations, measurable goals, and a timeline for improvement, which is the next logical step in the progressive discipline process.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Have a private meeting to discuss performance issues and establish a performance improvement plan
Why this is correct
This is the most appropriate and professional project management response. It demonstrates the project manager's responsibility to proactively address performance issues by engaging in direct, private communication to understand root causes, set clear expectations, and define measurable steps for improvement. Establishing a formal Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) ensures accountability and provides a structured, documented approach to resolve the performance gap, aligning with PMP principles of team development and issue resolution.
- ✗
Ignore the behavior as the team is compensating
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring consistent underperformance is detrimental to project success and team dynamics. It can lead to resentment among other team members who are compensating for the underperformer, decrease overall team morale, and ultimately jeopardize project deadlines and quality. A project manager has a fundamental responsibility to address such issues proactively to maintain a productive, equitable, and high-performing work environment, rather than allowing problems to fester.
- ✗
Escalate to human resources for immediate termination
Why it's wrong here
Immediate termination without prior attempts at performance management is an extreme and premature action. PMP best practices emphasize a progressive approach to addressing performance issues, starting with direct communication, coaching, and a structured performance improvement plan. Escalating directly to HR for termination bypasses the project manager's responsibility to coach and develop team members, and it could expose the organization to unnecessary legal or ethical risks.
- ✗
Reassign the team member to less critical tasks
Why it's wrong here
Reassigning a team member to less critical tasks merely shifts the problem without addressing the underlying performance issue. While it might temporarily mitigate risk on critical paths, it fails to develop the team member's capabilities or resolve the root cause of their missed deadlines. This approach can also lead to resource imbalances, underutilization of skills, and may still negatively impact overall project success by not fully leveraging team potential.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Project Team Management
Project Team Management is the process of leading, coordinating, and supporting a group of people to complete project tasks and achieve project objectives.
Key term
Project Management Plan
A formal, approved document that defines how a project is executed, monitored, controlled, and closed, serving as the single source of truth for the project team.
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