PMP · Question #1011
A client has asked the project manager for the program status report. The project manager sends the report and then realizes that they accidentally included another manager from the client's…
The correct answer is B. Inform the client and their supervisor about the mistake. The project manager accidentally sent a sensitive report to an unauthorized individual within the client's organization.
Question
A client has asked the project manager for the program status report. The project manager sends the report and then realizes that they accidentally included another manager from the client's organization on the email. What should the project manager do?
Options
- AContact the other manager and ask them to delete the email.
- BInform the client and their supervisor about the mistake.
- CWait for the client's feedback regarding the report.
- DResend the email to the client, excluding the other manager.
How the community answered
(50 responses)- A6% (3)
- B78% (39)
- C4% (2)
- D12% (6)
Why each option
The project manager accidentally sent a sensitive report to an unauthorized individual within the client's organization.
Attempting to cover up the mistake by asking the unintended recipient to delete the email without informing primary stakeholders is unethical and could lead to more severe issues if discovered later.
In cases of accidental information disclosure, the most ethical and responsible action is immediate transparency and disclosure to the primary stakeholders. Informing the client and their supervisor demonstrates accountability, allows them to be aware of the breach, and enables them to take any necessary actions, thereby preserving trust and mitigating potential repercussions.
Waiting for client feedback means delaying action on a potential information breach, which could exacerbate the problem if the information is misused or widely disseminated.
Resending the email does not resolve the fact that the original email containing sensitive information has already been sent to an unauthorized recipient, which is the core issue.
Concept tested: Ethical conduct and immediate disclosure of errors
Topics
Community Discussion
4B is correct and it is a quick ethics win, do not overthink it. The PM made a mistake involving client confidentiality so the right move is always to own it immediately and inform the client and their supervisor. A, C, and D all involve hiding the error or pretending it did not happen which will burn you on the ethics questions. Flag this type of question as a thirty second answer and move on.
Agree on B for the ethics angle, but worth noting that on a real agile team the transparency principle is doing the heavy lifting here, not just rule-following.
Leaned toward A first, but PMI ethics say own the mistake and inform the client.
Leaned toward A but transparency wins, so B is the PMI move.