PMP · Question #1005
A company has undertaken a large transformation project in preparation for the changing economy. During the planning of the transformation project, the key resource from human resources (HR) refuses…
The correct answer is C. Speak directly with the resource. To understand why a key resource refuses to approve a project plan, the project manager should directly communicate with that individual to gather their specific concerns and feedback.
Question
A company has undertaken a large transformation project in preparation for the changing economy. During the planning of the transformation project, the key resource from human resources (HR) refuses to approve the proposed project plan. What should the project manager do to gain an understanding of the cause for the resource's refusal?
Options
- ASpeak with their colleague.
- BCommunicate with their supervisor.
- CSpeak directly with the resource.
- DOrganize a team meeting.
How the community answered
(53 responses)- A2% (1)
- B4% (2)
- C85% (45)
- D9% (5)
Why each option
To understand why a key resource refuses to approve a project plan, the project manager should directly communicate with that individual to gather their specific concerns and feedback.
Speaking with a colleague might provide indirect information but would not ensure a complete understanding of the specific concerns of the refusing resource.
Communicating with their supervisor is an escalation that should only be pursued if direct communication with the resource proves ineffective or inappropriate.
When a key stakeholder like the HR resource refuses to approve a project plan, the most direct and effective first action is to engage in a direct conversation with that individual. This allows the project manager to precisely understand their concerns, objections, or information gaps, fostering an environment for collaborative resolution and gaining their buy-in.
Organizing a team meeting is too broad an approach for addressing the specific concerns of a single stakeholder and may not lead to the detailed understanding required.
Concept tested: Stakeholder engagement, effective communication
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Dervla O.Jun 29, 2026C is correct. The PMBOK mindset is to go to the source first whenever there is a disagreement or concern. Speaking directly with the HR resource builds trust and uncovers the actual objection, whether it is a workload issue or a methodology conflict, without escalating prematurely. Options B and A involve going around the person, which creates friction and breaks down collaboration. Read the stem carefully: the goal is to understand the cause of the refusal, and you only get that by asking the person who refused.
Yusuf A.Jun 12, 2026C is the right move here because my senior always says go straight to the source before escalating anything, especially in planning when you are still building trust. Quick question though, if the HR resource still digs in after that direct conversation, does it become an escalate-to-supervisor situation or do you keep working it within the team?
Mateus R.Jun 26, 2026Confirmed C on exam last week. Think of it like a neighbor's dog keeps getting into your trash, you don't go complain to the mailman or call a town hall meeting, you walk next door and ask the neighbor directly what's going on. Same deal here, the PM needs to go straight to that HR resource for direct communication and get to the root cause of the refusal before escalating or dragging others into it. Option B is the trap because escalating to the supervisor right out of the gate burns trust you will need later.
Fatima Z.Jul 4, 2026Going with A here. Think of it as HR-spy before HR-direct: you get the colleague's read on why the plan got blocked, which is your fastest diagnosis hook without triggering defensiveness. Skip C for now because a blunt "why did you refuse?" chat can backfire before you've gathered the context.
Dervla O.Jul 6, 2026C is correct here because the stem is asking for direct engagement, not a workaround through a third party. A sounds collaborative but it adds a hop you do not need when the question is testing whether you can address the refusal head-on with the person who made the call.