The correct action is to discuss workload distribution with the team and consider adjusting assignments. This answer is rooted in the 'Manage Team' process from the PMBOK Guide, where the project manager’s primary duty when facing team member burnout is to address the underlying workload imbalance rather than simply pushing through or ignoring the issue. By collaborating with the team to reallocate tasks, the PM demonstrates servant leadership and optimizes resource utilization without jeopardizing the project’s schedule or budget. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply proactive team management over reactive measures—a common trap is choosing to escalate or hire new resources prematurely, which wastes time and budget. Remember the memory tip: when burnout is the symptom, workload balance is the cure.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A team member has informed you that they are feeling burnt out due to the high pace of the project. The project is on schedule and within budget. What should the project manager do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Discuss workload distribution with the team and consider adjusting assignments.
Option C is correct because the project manager should first assess and address the workload imbalance that is causing burnout, which is a key responsibility under the 'Manage Team' process. By discussing workload distribution with the team and considering adjustments, the PM uses a collaborative approach to optimize resource utilization without compromising the project's schedule or budget. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on servant leadership and proactive team management.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Tell the team member to take a short vacation and return refreshed.
Why it's wrong here
A vacation may help temporarily but does not address the root cause of burnout.
✗
Remove the team member from the project to protect their health.
Why it's wrong here
Removing a resource without exploring alternatives is drastic and may not be necessary.
✓
Discuss workload distribution with the team and consider adjusting assignments.
Why this is correct
Balancing workload demonstrates care for team well-being while maintaining project progress.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reduce the project scope to lower the pace.
Why it's wrong here
Reducing scope requires change control and may not be feasible.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose a quick, directive solution like a vacation (Option A) or a drastic change like scope reduction (Option D), failing to recognize that the PM must first diagnose and address the underlying workload imbalance through team collaboration and resource management techniques.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Burnout in project management is often a symptom of poor resource leveling or overallocation, which can be identified through tools like the Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS) or a resource histogram. The project manager should use techniques such as 'resource smoothing' to adjust assignments without affecting the critical path, or 'resource leveling' if schedule flexibility exists. In real-world scenarios, this might involve reallocating tasks among team members with complementary skills or negotiating with the functional manager for temporary support, ensuring the project remains on schedule and within budget.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Discuss workload distribution with the team and consider adjusting assignments. — Option C is correct because the project manager should first assess and address the workload imbalance that is causing burnout, which is a key responsibility under the 'Manage Team' process. By discussing workload distribution with the team and considering adjustments, the PM uses a collaborative approach to optimize resource utilization without compromising the project's schedule or budget. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on servant leadership and proactive team management.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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