PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
During a daily standup, a developer mentions she is blocked by a dependency from another team. The issue was not previously identified. As the project manager, what is the BEST action?
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
✓
Add the blocker to the issue log and work with the other team to resolve it.
The correct action is to document the blocker in the issue log and collaborate with the other team to resolve it. This ensures the issue is tracked and addressed appropriately. Option A is wrong because reassigning work does not resolve the dependency; Option B delays resolution without proper documentation; Option C bypasses the project manager's role in facilitating cross-team coordination.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Remove the dependency by reassigning the work to a different developer.
Why it's wrong here
Reassigning the work to a different developer does not address the underlying dependency or the root cause of the blocker. The new developer would likely encounter the exact same impediment, merely shifting the problem rather than resolving it. This approach fails to leverage proper issue management processes and can lead to inefficient resource allocation and continued project delays without tackling the actual technical or organizational constraint.
- ✗
Ask the developer to find a workaround and report back tomorrow.
Why it's wrong here
Asking the developer to find a workaround independently and report back tomorrow is an abdication of the Project Manager's responsibility to manage impediments proactively. This approach ignores the necessity of formally logging the issue, assigning ownership for resolution, and actively facilitating its removal. It risks delaying resolution, creating unmanaged risks, and placing an undue burden on the developer without the necessary project-level support or visibility.
- ✗
Tell the developer to escalate the issue to the other team's manager directly.
Why it's wrong here
Directing the developer to escalate the issue to another team's manager bypasses established communication protocols and the Project Manager's role in stakeholder management. Such an uncoordinated escalation can strain inter-team relationships, lack the necessary project context, and may not lead to an effective resolution. The PM is responsible for facilitating cross-functional communication and issue resolution, ensuring a professional and coordinated approach to address dependencies.
- ✓
Add the blocker to the issue log and work with the other team to resolve it.
Why this is correct
Adding the blocker to the issue log and working with the other team to resolve it is the most appropriate PMP response. Logging the issue ensures formal tracking, visibility, and accountability for its resolution, aligning with proactive issue management principles. Collaborating directly with the other team demonstrates effective stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination, which are crucial for systematically removing inter-team dependencies and preventing further project delays.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every PMP question from scratch — 800 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on PMP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During a daily standup, a developer mentions that they are blocked due to a missing API from a third-party vendor. The vendor had promised delivery two days ago. What should the project manager do FIRST?
easy- ✓ A.Check the risk register for any identified risk response related to vendor delays.
- B.Contact the vendor to understand the delay and expedite delivery.
- C.Escalate the issue to senior management immediately.
- D.Ask the developer to work on other tasks until the API is available.
Why A: The PM should first check the risk register to see if this vendor delay was identified as a risk, and review the planned response. This is a proactive step before taking further action.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PMP practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PMP exam.