- A
Review the project's resource management plan and priorities to align their work with project objectives
Referencing the plan provides an objective framework for allocation decisions.
- B
Facilitate a meeting with both managers to discuss the conflict and find a mutually acceptable solution
Facilitating direct communication helps resolve misunderstandings and find common ground.
- C
Escalate the unresolved conflict to the project sponsor if the managers cannot reach an agreement
Escalation is appropriate when the PM cannot resolve the conflict at their level.
- D
Document the conflict in the lessons learned register for future projects
Why wrong: While documentation is good, it is a post-resolution activity, not a primary action to resolve the current conflict.
- E
Make a unilateral decision on resource allocation to end the conflict quickly
Why wrong: Imposing a decision without collaboration may escalate the conflict and damage relationships.
Quick Answer
The answer is to escalate the unresolved conflict to the project sponsor if the functional managers cannot reach an agreement, but only after first facilitating a data-driven discussion using the resource management plan and project priorities. This is correct because the project manager must act as a neutral facilitator, grounding the conflict between functional managers in objective project documents rather than personal preferences; if the disagreement persists despite this structured approach, escalation to the sponsor is the proper next step, as the sponsor holds authority over resource allocation across departments. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of conflict resolution within a matrix organization, where functional managers have competing priorities—a common trap is trying to resolve the conflict yourself without using data or escalating when authority is insufficient. Remember the mnemonic “FDE”: Facilitate with data, then Escalate.
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 conflict has arisen between two functional managers whose teams are working on your project. They disagree on resource allocation and priorities, and the conflict is delaying progress. Which THREE actions should the project manager take to resolve the situation?
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
Review the project's resource management plan and priorities to align their work with project objectives
Option A is correct because the resource management plan and project priorities provide the objective framework for aligning the functional managers' conflicting demands. By reviewing these documents, the project manager can ground the discussion in the project's agreed-upon constraints and objectives, ensuring that resource allocation decisions support the project's goals rather than personal or departmental preferences.
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.
- ✓
Review the project's resource management plan and priorities to align their work with project objectives
Why this is correct
Referencing the plan provides an objective framework for allocation decisions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Facilitate a meeting with both managers to discuss the conflict and find a mutually acceptable solution
Why this is correct
Facilitating direct communication helps resolve misunderstandings and find common ground.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Escalate the unresolved conflict to the project sponsor if the managers cannot reach an agreement
Why this is correct
Escalation is appropriate when the PM cannot resolve the conflict at their level.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Document the conflict in the lessons learned register for future projects
Why it's wrong here
While documentation is good, it is a post-resolution activity, not a primary action to resolve the current conflict.
- ✗
Make a unilateral decision on resource allocation to end the conflict quickly
Why it's wrong here
Imposing a decision without collaboration may escalate the conflict and damage relationships.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may mistakenly choose Option D (lessons learned) as a proactive step, but it is a knowledge management activity, not a conflict resolution action, and Option E (unilateral decision) seems efficient but violates the collaborative and stakeholder-focused approach the PMP exam rewards.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In the PMBOK Guide, conflict resolution is a key interpersonal skill, and the project manager should first attempt collaborative problem-solving (Option B) using the project's documented plans (Option A) as a neutral reference. Escalation (Option C) is a last-resort technique when the conflict cannot be resolved at the project manager's level, ensuring that the sponsor can make a binding decision on resource allocation. This layered approach mirrors real-world scenarios where functional managers have competing priorities, and the project manager must balance authority with diplomacy.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
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: Review the project's resource management plan and priorities to align their work with project objectives — Option A is correct because the resource management plan and project priorities provide the objective framework for aligning the functional managers' conflicting demands. By reviewing these documents, the project manager can ground the discussion in the project's agreed-upon constraints and objectives, ensuring that resource allocation decisions support the project's goals rather than personal or departmental preferences.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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