- A
Reassign the team member to less critical tasks to minimize impact
Why wrong: This avoids addressing the performance issue and may not be fair to the team member.
- B
Consult with human resources to determine the appropriate course of action
HR can provide guidance on performance management, legal considerations, and support options.
- C
Issue a formal warning and put the team member on a performance improvement plan
Why wrong: This may be premature without understanding all factors; consulting HR first is advisable.
- D
Remove the team member from the project to protect the team's morale
Why wrong: Removal should be a last resort; the PM should first attempt to support improvement.
Question 319 of 892
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 consistently misses deadlines, causing delays for the rest of the team. When you discuss this with them, they cite personal issues but assure you they will improve. However, the pattern continues. 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
✓
Consult with human resources to determine the appropriate course of action
Option B is correct because when a team member's performance issue persists despite verbal coaching and involves personal matters, consulting HR ensures the project manager follows organizational policies and legal guidelines. The PMP emphasizes that the project manager should leverage HR expertise for sensitive personnel issues to mitigate risk and maintain fairness, rather than making unilateral disciplinary decisions.
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.
- ✗
Reassign the team member to less critical tasks to minimize impact
Why it's wrong here
This avoids addressing the performance issue and may not be fair to the team member.
- ✓
Consult with human resources to determine the appropriate course of action
Why this is correct
HR can provide guidance on performance management, legal considerations, and support options.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Issue a formal warning and put the team member on a performance improvement plan
Why it's wrong here
This may be premature without understanding all factors; consulting HR first is advisable.
- ✗
Remove the team member from the project to protect the team's morale
Why it's wrong here
Removal should be a last resort; the PM should first attempt to support improvement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to formal disciplinary actions (Option C) or removal (Option D) because they seem decisive, but the PMP exam requires following organizational process and involving HR before escalating to formal measures.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the PMBOK Guide's 'Manage Team' process, the project manager must address performance issues through a progressive discipline framework that aligns with organizational policies. Consulting HR is a key step in the 'Manage Team' process to ensure that any corrective actions (e.g., PIP, reassignment) are legally defensible and consistent with the organization's code of conduct. In real-world scenarios, failing to involve HR early can lead to wrongful termination claims or grievances, especially when personal issues are cited.
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.
- →
People — Leading Projects — study guide chapter
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: Consult with human resources to determine the appropriate course of action — Option B is correct because when a team member's performance issue persists despite verbal coaching and involves personal matters, consulting HR ensures the project manager follows organizational policies and legal guidelines. The PMP emphasizes that the project manager should leverage HR expertise for sensitive personnel issues to mitigate risk and maintain fairness, rather than making unilateral disciplinary decisions.
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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