PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
Your project team is experiencing a conflict between two members that is affecting the entire team's productivity. As the project manager, which TWO actions should you take to resolve the situation?
⚠ Common exam trap
PMP often tests whether candidates jump to escalation or removal as the 'decisive' answer — the trap is picking the most forceful-sounding option instead of the collaborative, PMBOK-aligned approach of understanding then facilitating.
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 each team member individually to understand their perspectives.
Option B is correct because meeting with each team member individually lets the project manager gather each party's perspective, identify the root cause of the conflict, and build trust before bringing them together, which is a standard first step in conflict resolution. Option E is correct because facilitating a joint conflict resolution session with both parties directly addresses the disagreement, encourages open communication, and allows the team members to collaboratively agree on a resolution, restoring team productivity. Option A is not appropriate because removing both members is a punitive, last-resort action that disrupts the project and does not resolve the underlying conflict. Option C is not appropriate because escalating to the sponsor should be reserved for conflicts that cannot be resolved at the project manager's level, and the PM is expected to attempt resolution first. Option D is not appropriate because ignoring the conflict allows it to escalate and further damage team productivity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Remove both team members from the project.
Why it's wrong here
Removing team members is an extreme and costly measure that should only be considered as a last resort when all other conflict resolution techniques have failed, or if the conflict poses an immediate and severe threat to project success or team safety. Premature removal incurs significant costs related to recruitment, onboarding, and potential project delays, while also failing to address the root cause of the conflict, which could resurface with new team members. This action demonstrates a lack of leadership in managing team dynamics.
- ✓
Meet with each team member individually to understand their perspectives.
Why this is correct
This initial step aligns with the 'Withdraw/Avoid' or 'Smooth/Accommodate' conflict resolution techniques, but primarily serves as a crucial information-gathering phase. By meeting individually, the project manager can create a safe space for each team member to express their concerns, perceptions, and underlying interests without the pressure of direct confrontation, thereby uncovering the true root causes of the conflict and building rapport before attempting a joint resolution. This approach demonstrates active listening and empathy, essential leadership skills.
- ✗
Escalate the conflict to the project sponsor.
Why it's wrong here
Escalating to the sponsor bypasses the project manager’s responsibility to directly manage team conflict using interpersonal and team management skills, as prescribed by the PMBOK Guide’s leadership domain. This action fails because the scenario describes a low-level interpersonal dispute, not a strategic issue beyond the project manager’s authority. It is tempting because escalation is correct when the conflict involves blocked resources, policy violations, or risks that exceed the project manager’s decision-making scope.
- ✗
Ignore the conflict and hope it resolves on its own.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring conflict is a passive approach that rarely leads to positive outcomes and often exacerbates the situation, allowing minor disagreements to escalate into significant disruptions. Unresolved conflicts can foster resentment, decrease team morale, reduce productivity, and ultimately jeopardize project objectives by creating a toxic work environment. A project manager's responsibility includes proactive management of team dynamics, and neglecting conflict is a dereliction of this duty.
- ✓
Facilitate a conflict resolution session with both parties.
Why this is correct
After understanding individual perspectives, facilitating a joint session is a direct and collaborative approach, often employing 'Confront/Problem Solve' or 'Collaborate' techniques. The project manager acts as a neutral third party, guiding the discussion to focus on issues rather than personalities, encouraging open communication, and helping the team members identify mutually acceptable solutions. This method aims for a win-win outcome, strengthening team relationships and problem-solving skills for future challenges.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Managing Team Conflict and Performance
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.
About these practice questions
This PMP question is part of Courseiva's 820-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PMI exam blueprint
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.