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.
During a hybrid project, the product owner frequently bypasses you and gives direct instructions to the development team. The team is confused about priorities, and scope creep is occurring. What should you 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
✓
Speak privately with the product owner to explain the impact on the team and request that instructions go through you
Option A is correct because the first step in resolving a conflict between the product owner and the development team is to have a private, respectful conversation with the product owner. This allows you to explain the negative impact of bypassing you—such as team confusion, priority misalignment, and scope creep—and request that all instructions be routed through you to maintain the agreed-upon workflow and protect the team's focus.
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.
✓
Speak privately with the product owner to explain the impact on the team and request that instructions go through you
Why this is correct
A private conversation allows the PM to address the issue professionally and reinforce the project manager's role.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Tell the team to ignore instructions from the product owner
Why it's wrong here
This can create conflict and is disrespectful; collaboration is key.
✗
Escalate to the project sponsor for resolution
Why it's wrong here
Escalation should be a last resort after attempting direct communication.
✗
Update the team charter to include a communication protocol
Why it's wrong here
Updating the charter may be a later step; direct conversation is needed first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose to escalate (Option C) immediately, forgetting that the PM should first attempt to resolve the conflict directly with the stakeholder before involving higher authorities.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a hybrid project, the product owner is responsible for prioritizing the backlog, but the project manager (or Scrum Master) is the facilitator who shields the team from external disruptions. The PMBOK Guide emphasizes that the project manager should first use 'manage stakeholder engagement' techniques—such as direct communication and negotiation—before escalating. This approach aligns with the 'confronting' conflict resolution mode, which seeks a win-win outcome by addressing the issue head-on with the stakeholder.
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: Speak privately with the product owner to explain the impact on the team and request that instructions go through you — Option A is correct because the first step in resolving a conflict between the product owner and the development team is to have a private, respectful conversation with the product owner. This allows you to explain the negative impact of bypassing you—such as team confusion, priority misalignment, and scope creep—and request that all instructions be routed through you to maintain the agreed-upon workflow and protect the team's focus.
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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