This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
You are managing a project using a predictive approach. A team member has been consistently missing deadlines, causing delays for the rest of the team. You have already had an informal conversation about expectations. What should you do next?
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 to discuss the issue and create a performance improvement plan
Option C is correct because after an informal conversation has already taken place, the next step in progressive discipline within a predictive (waterfall) project is to schedule a private meeting to formally address the issue and collaboratively create a performance improvement plan (PIP). This aligns with the PMI People domain's emphasis on conflict resolution and team development, ensuring the team member is given a clear opportunity to improve before any escalation or removal.
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.
✗
Escalate the issue to the team member's functional manager
Why it's wrong here
The PM should first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the team member.
✗
Reassign the team member's tasks to other team members
Why it's wrong here
This may overload others and does not solve the performance issue.
✓
Schedule a private meeting to discuss the issue and create a performance improvement plan
Why this is correct
Coaching and a formal plan help the team member improve and demonstrate due diligence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Remove the team member from the project
Why it's wrong here
Removal is a last resort and may not be possible without cause.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
PMI often tests the misconception that a single informal conversation is sufficient or that escalation is the immediate next step, but PMI expects a graduated response where the project manager first attempts direct resolution through a formal meeting and PIP before involving higher management or removing the team member.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In predictive project management, the project manager holds authority over task assignments but must follow a structured conflict resolution and performance management process, often modeled after the 'Confronting' or 'Problem-Solving' approach in PMI's conflict resolution techniques. The PIP should include specific, measurable goals (e.g., 'complete all assigned tasks within 48 hours of deadline') and a defined review period, typically 1-2 weeks, with documented follow-up meetings. This mirrors the 'Plan-Do-Check-Act' cycle applied to team performance, ensuring traceability for future HR actions if needed.
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: Schedule a private meeting to discuss the issue and create a performance improvement plan — Option C is correct because after an informal conversation has already taken place, the next step in progressive discipline within a predictive (waterfall) project is to schedule a private meeting to formally address the issue and collaboratively create a performance improvement plan (PIP). This aligns with the PMI People domain's emphasis on conflict resolution and team development, ensuring the team member is given a clear opportunity to improve before any escalation or removal.
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.
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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