PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
Your project team is struggling with low morale due to a heavy workload and unclear priorities. As a project manager, which TWO actions would BEST help improve team motivation? (Choose two)
⚠ Common exam trap
PMP often tests the misconception that monetary rewards or overtime are effective motivators, but PMI emphasizes intrinsic motivation and sustainable practices; candidates may overlook that clarifying priorities and removing non-essential tasks directly reduces workload stress.
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
✓
Recognize and celebrate team achievements publicly
Option B is correct because public recognition and celebration of achievements directly addresses low morale by satisfying the team's need for appreciation and visibility, which is a well-established intrinsic motivator in project management practice. Option E is correct because the scenario explicitly cites unclear priorities as a root cause of the morale problem, so clarifying priorities and removing non-essential tasks reduces the heavy workload and gives the team focus and a sense of control. Option A is not the best choice because monetary bonuses for deadlines can create short-term compliance rather than genuine motivation and may even increase pressure and unhealthy competition. Option C, while generally good for agile teams, does not directly resolve the stated issues of heavy workload and unclear priorities. Option D is inappropriate because mandating overtime worsens burnout and low morale rather than improving motivation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Offer monetary bonuses for meeting deadlines
Why it's wrong here
Monetary incentives are extrinsic motivators that often provide only temporary boosts in morale, especially when underlying issues like excessive workload or unclear direction persist. While they can drive specific behaviors, they fail to address the root causes of burnout and dissatisfaction, potentially leading to resentment if not perceived as fair or sustainable. This approach would likely exacerbate the problem by adding pressure without resolving the core stressors.
- ✓
Recognize and celebrate team achievements publicly
Why this is correct
Public recognition and celebration of team achievements serve as powerful intrinsic motivators, validating the team's efforts and contributions. This positive reinforcement directly addresses the psychological need for appreciation and competence, boosting morale by making team members feel valued and acknowledged for their hard work, even amidst challenges. It fosters a sense of accomplishment and shared success.
- ✗
Empower the team to self-organize and make decisions
Why it's wrong here
While empowering a team to self-organize is a valuable practice for fostering autonomy and long-term engagement, it does not directly resolve the immediate and acute problems of unclear priorities and an overwhelming workload. Without clear boundaries and reduced pressure, self-organization can become chaotic or lead to further stress as the team struggles to prioritize within an unmanageable scope. This solution is premature given the current crisis.
- ✗
Ask the team to work overtime to reduce the backlog
Why it's wrong here
Demanding overtime directly increases the existing heavy workload and stress levels, which are primary contributors to low morale. This action signals a disregard for team well-being and sustainability, leading to further exhaustion, decreased quality of work, and potentially higher turnover. It's a counterproductive measure that intensifies the very problems it aims to solve.
- ✓
Clarify project priorities and remove non-essential tasks
Why this is correct
Clarifying project priorities provides the team with a clear focus, reducing ambiguity and decision fatigue. Simultaneously, removing non-essential tasks directly reduces the overall workload, alleviating stress and preventing burnout. This strategic scope management directly addresses the root causes of low morale by making the work manageable and purposeful, thereby improving team psychological safety and productivity.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Managing Team Conflict and Performance
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.
Key term
Team Building
Team building is the process of creating a cohesive group of people who work together effectively toward a shared goal.
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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.