The answer is to temporarily reassign developers to assist with testing, along with using conflict management to prioritize testing tasks and providing additional support to the overwhelmed team. This is correct because a resource constraint in a hybrid approach demands flexible resource optimization—developers who know the code can perform testing, while conflict management helps the team focus on critical path items, and direct support alleviates the bottleneck. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply resource leveling and conflict resolution within a hybrid lifecycle, where the trap is escalating to management (Option E) before exhausting internal adjustments or ignoring the constraint (Option C). A common memory tip is “Reassign, Resolve, Support”—the three R’s for when your testing team is drowning and you need to keep the project moving without adding new hires.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
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.
Your project is using a hybrid approach. The development team has completed the deliverables, but the testing team is overwhelmed and behind schedule. The project manager needs to address this resource constraint. Which THREE actions are most appropriate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Negotiate with the functional manager to prioritize testing resources
Options A, B, and D are correct. Option A optimizes resources. Option B uses conflict management to prioritize. Option D provides support. Option C ignores the issue. Option E escalates prematurely without internal efforts.
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.
✓
Negotiate with the functional manager to prioritize testing resources
Why this is correct
Negotiation is a key skill for resource management.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ask the testing team to work overtime without additional compensation
Why it's wrong here
This may cause burnout and is not a sustainable solution.
✗
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor immediately
Why it's wrong here
The PM should first attempt internal solutions.
✓
Train developers in testing to cross-train the team
Why this is correct
Cross-training increases team flexibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Temporarily reassign developers to assist with testing
Why this is correct
Resource leveling can help balance workload.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Negotiate with the functional manager to prioritize testing resources — Options A, B, and D are correct. Option A optimizes resources. Option B uses conflict management to prioritize. Option D provides support. Option C ignores the issue. Option E escalates prematurely without internal efforts.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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