PMP · Question #1076
A project manager is reviewing the status of a large project with team members in different countries. Through the status review. the project manager notices that one team is consistently behind…
The correct answer is D. Evaluate the issue with the team to determine if they have the necessary skills to perform. A project team located internationally is consistently behind schedule and produces work requiring correction.
Question
Options
- AGuide all team members and bring in external consultants to complete the work.
- BReview the issue with the project sponsor and work to reduce the scope for that team.
- CAsk a local subject matter expert (SME) to assist the team in reviewing the project requirements.
- DEvaluate the issue with the team to determine if they have the necessary skills to perform
How the community answered
(44 responses)- A2% (1)
- B9% (4)
- C5% (2)
- D84% (37)
Why each option
A project team located internationally is consistently behind schedule and produces work requiring correction.
Bringing in external consultants without first understanding the root cause with the team is a premature and potentially costly solution that doesn't empower the team or address internal skill gaps directly.
Reducing scope is an option for schedule or resource issues, but it doesn't address the underlying quality and performance problems of the team and might just shift the problem or reduce the project's value.
While an SME can assist, asking them to simply 'review project requirements' for the team might be a temporary fix if the core problem is a skill gap or process issue; the team needs to be involved in identifying and solving its own problems for sustainable improvement.
Consistently being behind schedule and producing work that needs correction suggests a fundamental issue with the team's ability to perform the work, which could stem from a lack of necessary skills, understanding, or proper processes. Evaluating the issue collaboratively with the team helps to identify the root cause and develop targeted solutions such as training, coaching, or process improvements.
Concept tested: Team performance management, root cause analysis, quality improvement
Topics
Community Discussion
7
Wei W.May 13, 2026D is the right call. You go to the team first and inspect the problem together, because missed schedule and rework usually point to a skills gap or unclear understanding of the work, and you need that empirical input before you can decide on any fix.
Mei-Ling H.May 17, 2026D is correct because the key phrase is "consistently behind" plus "needs to be corrected," which points to a skills or capability gap on that specific team. Option C sounds tempting since a local SME could help, but the PM should first evaluate the root cause with the team before jumping to a fix. Option A overreacts by pulling in consultants for everyone, and B is an escalation that does not address why the work is failing. One thing I want to clarify: in PMP questions like this, is the act of "evaluating with the team" always the preferred first step
Ingrid P.Apr 23, 2026D is correct. Root cause first: check skills before adding resources or cutting scope.
Luis F.Apr 29, 2026D on my exam last week, had a similar issue and root cause eval was key.
Yuki V.May 1, 2026Agreed on D, and I would add that root cause eval is where I had to slow down because two of the distractors sounded like root cause but were really just symptoms dressed up as causes.
Yuki V.May 3, 2026D is correct. C is tempting but SME help skips the root cause step.
Luis F.May 6, 2026SME help skips root cause, yeah, but D also nails the proactive angle, whereas C is reactive even if the SME part werent a problem.