PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
Your project team includes members from different departments, and there is a conflict between two team leaders over resource allocation. One leader insists their tasks are higher priority. Which THREE actions should you take to resolve this conflict?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers choose Option B (making a decision yourself) because it seems efficient, but the PMP exam expects the project manager to facilitate a collaborative resolution rather than impose a directive, unless the conflict is critical and time-sensitive.
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 leaders to discuss priorities and find a compromise
Option C is correct because facilitating a meeting with both leaders to discuss priorities and find a compromise is the standard collaborative/confronting conflict-resolution approach, allowing the parties to surface interests and agree on trade-offs before imposing a solution. Option E is correct because reviewing the project schedule and resource allocation provides objective data (critical path, float, resource histograms, utilization rates) that grounds the priority decision in facts rather than opinion. Option D is correct because escalation to the appropriate management level is the proper next step when the conflict cannot be resolved at the team level, following the project's escalation path rather than letting the dispute persist. Option A is not appropriate as a first action because immediately involving the project sponsor to enforce a decision is an avoiding/forcing shortcut that bypasses the team's ability to resolve the issue and can damage trust. Option B is not the best choice because unilaterally deciding based on your own judgment, without input from the leaders or objective schedule/resource analysis, is a forcing approach that may miss relevant constraints and reduce buy-in.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Immediately involve the project sponsor to enforce a decision
Why it's wrong here
Involving the project sponsor immediately is premature and bypasses the project manager's responsibility to attempt conflict resolution at the team level first. This approach can undermine team autonomy, create dependency on higher authority for routine issues, and potentially strain relationships by escalating a conflict before internal resolution mechanisms are exhausted. Project managers are expected to employ various conflict resolution techniques before resorting to sponsor intervention.
- ✗
Make a decision yourself based on which tasks contribute more to the project objectives
Why it's wrong here
Making a unilateral decision, even if objectively sound, fails to engage the involved parties in finding a mutually acceptable solution. This approach can lead to resentment, damage working relationships, and does not foster a collaborative environment, potentially causing future conflicts or reduced commitment from the affected departments. A project manager's role includes facilitating consensus, not solely dictating solutions.
- ✓
Facilitate a meeting with both leaders to discuss priorities and find a compromise
Why this is correct
Facilitating a meeting with the involved leaders is a highly effective and collaborative approach to conflict resolution. This allows for open communication, active listening, and a shared understanding of each department's priorities and constraints. By guiding the discussion towards a compromise, the project manager helps the parties find a mutually acceptable solution that supports overall project objectives while preserving inter-departmental relationships.
- ✓
If the conflict cannot be resolved, escalate to the appropriate management level
Why this is correct
Escalating the conflict to the appropriate management level is a necessary and proper step when the project manager has exhausted all reasonable attempts at resolution at their level. This ensures that unresolved issues do not impede project progress indefinitely and brings in higher authority to mediate or decide, following established organizational governance. It is a structured approach for intractable conflicts, not an initial response.
- ✓
Review the project schedule and resource allocation to determine the best course of action using objective data
Why this is correct
Reviewing the project schedule and resource allocation with objective data provides an impartial basis for decision-making. This approach helps depersonalize the conflict by focusing on project needs and constraints rather than individual preferences or departmental biases. Analyzing critical path activities, resource availability, and task dependencies allows the project manager to propose a fact-based solution that optimizes project outcomes.
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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.