PMP · Question #1338
During the executing phase, a project manager is reviewing the issue log and finds there are outstanding high-priority issues that are still open. Most of the open issues require effort from external
The correct answer is B. Review the open issues with the issue reporter and issue a change request to hire an external. To resolve high-priority issues requiring external experts, the project manager should confirm the issues and then initiate a change request to acquire the necessary external resources.
Question
During the executing phase, a project manager is reviewing the issue log and finds there are outstanding high-priority issues that are still open. Most of the open issues require effort from external domain experts who are not on the project team. What should the project manager do?
Options
- ARequest that the project team members learn the required domain knowledge and resolve the
- BReview the open issues with the issue reporter and issue a change request to hire an external
- CAsk the issue reporter to close the issues, because there are no project team members who have
- DReduce the project scope to ensure that the project team has the knowledge to deliver the system
How the community answered
(56 responses)- A4% (2)
- B79% (44)
- C5% (3)
- D13% (7)
Why each option
To resolve high-priority issues requiring external experts, the project manager should confirm the issues and then initiate a change request to acquire the necessary external resources.
Requesting project team members to learn complex domain knowledge for high-priority issues could introduce significant delays and might not be feasible for urgent or specialized problems.
When high-priority issues require expertise not available within the project team, the project manager must first confirm the issue details and priority with the reporter. Subsequently, to bring in external domain experts, a formal change request is required to secure approval and funding for contracting or hiring these specialized resources, ensuring the issues are effectively resolved.
Asking the issue reporter to close high-priority issues without resolution is irresponsible and could lead to project failure or significant negative impact.
Reducing the project scope is a drastic measure that should only be considered after all options for acquiring necessary expertise, including external resources, have been explored and exhausted.
Concept tested: Issue resolution and resource acquisition
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/project-management/issue-management-project-plan
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Viktor S.Dec 25, 2025B is the answer. You can't just wish expertise into your team, and telling people to close issues because nobody can solve them is a fast track to a failed deliverable. Reviewing the open issues with the reporter and issuing a change request to bring in external experts is the proper change control path, since securing outside help likely means additional cost or schedule impact that needs approval. A sounds noble but is unrealistic for high-priority items where the team lacks the domain knowledge entirely, and D is scope-cutting to dodge the problem rather than solving it.
Dervla O.Dec 13, 2025B is the process play here. When the team lacks the expertise to resolve high-priority issues, you evaluate the impact and pursue a change request to bring in the needed skills rather than asking the team to fake it or shrinking scope. Quick question for anyone who has sat the exam recently: did you find the change request language in this type of scenario always tied back to the Perform Integrated Change Control process, or did they frame it more as a procurement-driven action?
Viktor S.Dec 16, 2025Agree on B, and in my experience the change request language was tied to Perform Integrated Change Control because bringing in outside expertise still has to route through the same approval gate regardless of whether the eventual execution is procurement-flavored.
Orla P.Jan 2, 2026Going with A on this one. In the executing phase the PM should look at what resources are actually available, and if the team can build the knowledge internally that is the most self sufficient path forward before spending more budget. Hiring external experts sounds clean but it means touching the budget and procurement process, which should be a last resort when you can upskill your own people. The question is really testing whether you exhaust internal capability first before pulling in outside help.
Viktor S.Jan 4, 2026Actually it is B. When a knowledge gap threatens project objectives during execution, the PM acquires the needed competency, and hiring external SMEs is the fastest way to close that gap. Upskilling the team internally sounds principled, but it takes time the schedule may not allow, and the question is not about protecting procurement, it is about getting the work done.