PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
In a large-scale project using a predictive approach, you discover that a key team member, who is critical for the next deliverable, has been consistently missing deadlines and producing low-quality work. The project is already behind schedule. What should you do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to 'escalate to functional manager' (Option C) as a quick fix, but the PMP exam emphasizes that the project manager should first attempt to resolve issues directly with the team member using coaching and support, as per the servant leadership mindset.
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
✓
Schedule a private meeting with the team member to discuss performance issues and offer support
As a project manager, your first responsibility is to address performance issues directly with the team member through a private, supportive conversation. This aligns with the PMI People domain's emphasis on servant leadership and conflict resolution, allowing you to understand root causes (e.g., unclear requirements, personal challenges) before taking corrective action. In a predictive project, reassigning tasks or escalating prematurely can damage trust and team morale, while ignoring the issue risks further schedule slippage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Schedule a private meeting with the team member to discuss performance issues and offer support
Why this is correct
This approach aligns with the PMP emphasis on servant leadership and proactive issue resolution. A private meeting fosters trust, allowing the project manager to understand the root causes of performance issues, which could range from skill gaps to personal challenges or resource constraints. Offering support, coaching, or re-training demonstrates a commitment to team member development and project success, rather than immediate punitive action. This is the most effective initial step for a project manager to take.
- ✗
Reassign the critical tasks to other team members to keep the project on schedule
Why it's wrong here
While maintaining the project schedule is crucial, immediately reassigning critical tasks without addressing the original team member's performance issue is a short-term fix that creates new risks. This action can demotivate the original team member, potentially overload other team members, and fails to resolve the underlying problem, which could recur with future assignments. A project manager should first attempt to understand and resolve the performance gap before resorting to task reallocation.
- ✗
Immediately escalate to the team member's functional manager and request a replacement
Why it's wrong here
Escalating directly to a functional manager for a replacement without first engaging the team member or attempting to resolve the issue is premature and undermines the project manager's leadership role. This approach bypasses problem-solving opportunities, can damage team morale, and may strain relationships with functional managers who expect the project manager to attempt resolution within the project team first. Such an action should only be considered after initial attempts at resolution have failed.
- ✗
Document the missed deadlines in the performance log and ignore for now
Why it's wrong here
While documenting performance issues is an essential part of project management for tracking and future reference, simply logging missed deadlines and taking no immediate action is a passive approach that allows the problem to persist and potentially worsen. Ignoring the issue fails to address the immediate impact on the project schedule and quality, and it neglects the project manager's responsibility to proactively manage team performance and mitigate risks. Documentation should accompany, not replace, active intervention.
Go deeper
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
Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution is the process of addressing and resolving disagreements between team members or stakeholders to maintain a productive and collaborative project environment.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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