PMP · Question #1
A team member who is working on a critical project deliverable reported that their computer is not working. The IT department says that due to a high workload, they will not be able to provide assista
The correct answer is C. Explore options with the IT department to expedite the necessary repairs based on criticality of. When a critical project resource fails and IT assistance is delayed, the project manager should prioritize expediting repairs based on the deliverable's criticality to avoid impacting the project's critical path.
Question
A team member who is working on a critical project deliverable reported that their computer is not working. The IT department says that due to a high workload, they will not be able to provide assistance for 1 week. How should the project manager address this situation?
Options
- AUse project reserves to buy new equipment to avoid an impact to the critical path of the project
- BSchedule a meeting with the project sponsor to request a budget to buy or rent a new computer
- CExplore options with the IT department to expedite the necessary repairs based on criticality of
- DAsk the team member to find an innovative solution or workaround to overcome the issue and
How the community answered
(33 responses)- A3% (1)
- B9% (3)
- C76% (25)
- D12% (4)
Why each option
When a critical project resource fails and IT assistance is delayed, the project manager should prioritize expediting repairs based on the deliverable's criticality to avoid impacting the project's critical path.
Using project reserves to buy new equipment is a reactive measure and potentially an overspend before attempting to resolve the issue through existing support channels and processes.
Requesting a budget from the project sponsor to buy or rent a new computer is a longer process and less direct than working with the IT department to resolve the immediate equipment failure.
The most effective immediate action for a critical path impact is to engage directly with the supporting department, IT, to communicate the urgency and explore options for prioritizing and expediting the necessary repairs, leveraging internal processes and resources first.
Asking the team member to find a workaround places the burden of problem-solving solely on them and does not address the underlying issue of the non-working computer impacting a critical deliverable.
Concept tested: Critical path management, resource issue resolution
Topics
Community Discussion
3
Nina C.Apr 13, 2026So the IT department is slammed and it sounds like C got cut off, but I am reading it as escalate based on criticality. The PMP logic here is that you do not jump straight to spending money or pushing the problem onto the team member without first trying to work with the department that owns the problem. You escalate through proper channels to get the repair expedited because the deliverable is on the critical path. A and B bypass the existing IT process too quickly, and D just dumps the problem on the team member when there is a defined organizational function that should handle it.
Wesley A.Apr 17, 2026Took C the second time, A is the trap, reserves are last resort not first move.
Yuki V.Apr 12, 2026I first leaned toward A because buying new equipment protects the critical path, but using reserves without trying other options first is too aggressive for a computer repair issue. C is the right move because you escalate within the existing system and push IT to prioritize based on project criticality before spending money. The memory hook that helped me here is negotiate before you escalate, escalate before you spend. Confirmed C on my exam last month.