PMP · Question #1062
A few key team members recently left the project team. The remaining members took time to understand the details and found it difficult to make progress. As a result, the project schedule is…
The correct answer is C. Escalate to the project sponsor and seek alternatives to resolve the issue. When critical team member attrition leads to significant project delays and difficulty in progress, the project manager must escalate the issue to the project sponsor for guidance and alternative solutions.
Question
A few key team members recently left the project team. The remaining members took time to understand the details and found it difficult to make progress. As a result, the project schedule is seriously delayed. What should the project manager do?
Options
- ARequest additional resources to be incorporated to the project team.
- BObserve the project team and give them time to catch up before escalating.
- CEscalate to the project sponsor and seek alternatives to resolve the issue.
- DReview the issues and adjust the project plan to give a realistic schedule.
How the community answered
(14 responses)- A7% (1)
- B14% (2)
- C71% (10)
- D7% (1)
Why each option
When critical team member attrition leads to significant project delays and difficulty in progress, the project manager must escalate the issue to the project sponsor for guidance and alternative solutions.
Requesting additional resources is a potential solution, but the project manager should first escalate to the sponsor, as adding resources may require budget approval or strategic realignment which is beyond the PM's sole authority in a serious situation.
Observing and waiting is inappropriate when the project schedule is already "seriously delayed" and the team is struggling, as this further exacerbates the problem.
Serious delays due to loss of key personnel and inability to progress constitute a critical issue that requires immediate escalation to the project sponsor. The sponsor has the authority and organizational perspective to help find high-level solutions or make strategic decisions, such as re-scoping or providing additional resources.
Adjusting the project plan unilaterally to reflect a new "realistic schedule" without addressing the root cause or seeking sponsor input on such a significant setback is a reactive measure and avoids the necessary strategic conversation.
Concept tested: Project issue escalation and sponsor engagement
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/communication-management-plan
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