PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
You are leading a project in a matrix organization where team members report to both you and their functional managers. You notice that a critical team member, Alex, is frequently pulled into functional work, causing delays in project tasks. Alex's functional manager insists that the functional work is urgent. What is the best approach to resolve this conflict?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is jumping to escalation or workarounds without first attempting direct negotiation with the functional manager, which is the expected first 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
✓
Meet with the functional manager to discuss the impact of the delays, understand their priorities, and negotiate a mutually agreeable schedule for Alex's time.
The best approach is to meet with the functional manager to discuss the impact, understand their priorities, and negotiate a mutually agreeable schedule. This collaborative negotiation addresses the resource conflict directly, preserves the relationship with the functional manager, and ensures Alex's time is allocated effectively. It aligns with PMP principles of stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution in a matrix organization.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Meet with the functional manager to discuss the impact of the delays, understand their priorities, and negotiate a mutually agreeable schedule for Alex's time.
Why this is correct
This approach uses collaboration and negotiation to address the resource conflict. By understanding the functional manager's priorities and explaining the project impact, you can find a win-win solution, such as adjusting timelines or sharing Alex's time. It preserves relationships and aligns with PMP's emphasis on negotiation and conflict resolution in matrix environments.
- ✗
Reassign Alex's project tasks to other team members to avoid conflict with the functional manager.
Why it's wrong here
Reassigning tasks may not be feasible if Alex has specialized skills, and it avoids resolving the underlying resource allocation issue. It could also demotivate Alex and delay the project further if others lack the expertise. The project manager should first attempt to resolve the conflict through negotiation with the functional manager.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor and request that the functional manager be instructed to prioritize project work.
Why it's wrong here
Escalating immediately may damage the working relationship with the functional manager and is not the first step. The project manager should first attempt to resolve the conflict directly through negotiation and collaboration. Escalation should be reserved for when direct resolution fails or when organizational priorities are unclear.
- ✗
Ask Alex to work overtime to catch up on project tasks without involving the functional manager.
Why it's wrong here
Asking Alex to work overtime does not address the root cause of the resource conflict and can lead to burnout. It also bypasses the functional manager, which may create further issues. The project manager should address the allocation conflict directly with the functional manager rather than putting the burden on the team member.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Leading Teams and Empowering Team Members
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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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PMI exam blueprint
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