PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
During project execution, the project manager notices that two team members are in frequent conflict, which is affecting the team's overall performance. The project manager wants to resolve the conflict effectively. Which THREE actions align with PMI's recommended approach?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates think addressing conflict publicly in a team meeting demonstrates transparency (Option B), but PMI strictly advises against public confrontation as it damages trust and violates the principle of 'praise in public, criticize in private.'
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
✓
Facilitate a joint meeting to discuss the issue and find common ground
Facilitating a joint meeting aligns with PMI's collaborative conflict resolution approach, where the project manager acts as a neutral facilitator to help conflicting parties discuss issues openly and find common ground. This technique, often called 'confronting' or 'problem-solving,' is the most effective method for resolving interpersonal conflicts and restoring team performance, as it addresses the root cause directly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Facilitate a joint meeting to discuss the issue and find common ground
Why this is correct
Facilitating a joint meeting is a highly effective and collaborative conflict resolution technique, often referred to as "confronting the problem" or "problem-solving." The project manager's role is to guide the discussion, ensure all parties have an opportunity to express their views constructively, and help them identify shared interests or mutually acceptable solutions. This approach aims for a win-win outcome, fostering understanding and strengthening team relationships by directly addressing the root cause.
- ✗
Address the conflict in a team meeting to model transparency
Why it's wrong here
Addressing a specific interpersonal conflict publicly in a general team meeting is generally counterproductive and often escalates the situation. While transparency is valuable, confronting individuals in front of their peers can lead to embarrassment, defensiveness, and a reluctance to communicate openly, making a constructive resolution difficult. Effective conflict resolution typically requires a more private and controlled environment to protect individual dignity and encourage genuine dialogue.
- ✓
Meet with each team member individually to understand their perspective
Why this is correct
Before attempting to mediate a conflict, it is crucial for the project manager to meet individually with each involved team member. These private discussions allow the PM to gather comprehensive information, understand each person's perspective, underlying concerns, and emotional state without the pressure of a joint confrontation. This initial fact-finding and empathy-building step is essential for developing an informed and unbiased strategy for subsequent mediation or problem-solving efforts.
- ✗
Escalate the conflict to the project sponsor for resolution
Why it's wrong here
Escalating a conflict directly to the project sponsor for resolution should be considered a last resort, not an initial step. The project manager is primarily responsible for managing team dynamics and resolving conflicts at the lowest possible level. Premature escalation can undermine the PM's authority, demonstrate an inability to manage team issues, and potentially strain relationships with the sponsor, who expects the PM to handle operational challenges.
- ✓
Help the team members agree on a solution and document the resolution
Why this is correct
Guiding team members to mutually agree on a solution is a critical step in conflict resolution, ensuring buy-in and commitment to the outcome. Once an agreement is reached, documenting the resolution, including any agreed-upon actions or changes, is equally important. This formalizes the understanding, provides a clear record, and helps prevent the conflict from resurfacing due to misunderstandings or forgotten commitments, thereby ensuring follow-through and accountability.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Project Team Management
Project Team Management is the process of leading, coordinating, and supporting a group of people to complete project tasks and achieve project objectives.
Key term
Project Management Plan
A formal, approved document that defines how a project is executed, monitored, controlled, and closed, serving as the single source of truth for the project team.
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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.