PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
You are managing a software development project using a hybrid approach. Two senior developers have a recurring conflict about coding standards, which is causing delays in code reviews and affecting team morale. What should you do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
PMI often tests the misconception that escalating to management or imposing a decision is faster, but the PMP exam rewards the collaborative approach that builds team cohesion and aligns with servant leadership.
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 meeting with both developers to discuss the conflict and agree on coding standards.
In a hybrid project environment, the project manager should first facilitate a collaborative discussion between the conflicting parties to resolve the issue at the lowest level. This approach aligns with the PMP's emphasis on conflict resolution techniques, specifically 'collaborating/problem-solving,' which seeks a win-win outcome. By directly addressing the coding standards conflict, you preserve team autonomy and ownership, which is critical for maintaining morale and productivity in a hybrid approach where Agile principles like self-organization are valued.
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 functional managers of both developers.
Why it's wrong here
Escalating the issue to functional managers is a premature action that bypasses the project manager's primary responsibility for direct team conflict resolution. As a project manager, the initial step should always be to facilitate resolution within the project team, empowering members to address their differences. Escalation should be reserved for situations where direct intervention has demonstrably failed, involves significant cross-functional dependencies, or exceeds the project manager's authority.
- ✓
Facilitate a meeting with both developers to discuss the conflict and agree on coding standards.
Why this is correct
Facilitating a direct meeting with both developers is the most effective and collaborative approach to resolve this conflict. This allows for open communication, active listening, and a shared understanding of the differing perspectives regarding coding standards. By guiding them to discuss and mutually agree upon a common set of standards, the project manager fosters team ownership and ensures a sustainable resolution that enhances project quality and team cohesion.
- ✗
Reassign the developers to different modules to minimize interaction.
Why it's wrong here
Reassigning developers to different modules is a conflict avoidance strategy that fails to address the underlying cause of the disagreement regarding coding standards. While it might temporarily reduce direct interaction, it does not resolve the core issue, which could resurface in other forms or with other team members. This approach can also fragment the team, reduce overall synergy, and prevent the development of crucial conflict resolution skills within the project team.
- ✗
Decide on a set of coding standards yourself and mandate them.
Why it's wrong here
Deciding on and mandating a set of coding standards yourself, without involving the developers, is an autocratic approach that often leads to resistance and lack of commitment. While it provides a quick solution, it bypasses the opportunity for team buy-in and shared ownership, which are crucial for effective implementation and adherence. This can foster resentment, undermine team morale, and potentially lead to passive non-compliance, ultimately hindering project quality and team collaboration.
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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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.