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.
An executive stakeholder bypasses the project manager and directly assigns tasks to a team member, causing confusion about priorities. The team member is unsure which tasks to work on. What should the project manager do FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Clarify priorities with the team member and schedule a private meeting with the executive to discuss the communication protocol
Option B is correct because the project manager must first clarify priorities with the team member to resolve immediate confusion, then address the root cause by meeting privately with the executive to reinforce the communication protocol. This aligns with PMI's emphasis on proactive stakeholder management and conflict resolution without public escalation.
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.
✗
Ignore the situation to avoid conflict with the executive
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring it may encourage further bypassing and confusion.
✓
Clarify priorities with the team member and schedule a private meeting with the executive to discuss the communication protocol
Why this is correct
Addressing the issue privately with the executive respects their position while reinforcing project governance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
File a formal complaint with the HR department
Why it's wrong here
Formal complaints should be a last resort after direct communication.
✗
Politely remind the executive during a meeting that all task assignments must go through the PM
Why it's wrong here
Public confrontation may embarrass the executive and damage the relationship.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may choose Option D because it seems assertive, but PMI expects the PM to handle sensitive stakeholder issues privately to maintain respect and avoid public confrontation, not to correct them in a meeting.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Ignoring it may encourage further bypassing and confusion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In the PMBOK Guide, the Manage Stakeholder Engagement process requires the PM to address issues through direct communication and negotiation before formal escalation. The private meeting allows the PM to use active listening and conflict resolution techniques (e.g., interest-based negotiation) to align the executive with the agreed RACI matrix or communication management plan. Real-world scenarios show that public corrections often trigger defensive reactions, while private discussions preserve trust and enable collaborative problem-solving.
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: Clarify priorities with the team member and schedule a private meeting with the executive to discuss the communication protocol — Option B is correct because the project manager must first clarify priorities with the team member to resolve immediate confusion, then address the root cause by meeting privately with the executive to reinforce the communication protocol. This aligns with PMI's emphasis on proactive stakeholder management and conflict resolution without public escalation.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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