PMP · Question #1377
During the execution phase of a project, a new project manager is assigned to replace the previous project manager. As the project manager starts managing the project, they discover that team performa
The correct answer is D. Call for a team meeting to identify the root cause for the declining performance.. To address declining team performance, especially from a team with a good past record, the project manager should first hold a team meeting to identify the root cause of the performance drop.
Question
Options
- AReview the resource management plan and organizational assets.
- BEstimate the baseline impacts and submit a change request.
- CImplement compression techniques to bring the project back on track.
- DCall for a team meeting to identify the root cause for the declining performance.
How the community answered
(52 responses)- A2% (1)
- B6% (3)
- C12% (6)
- D81% (42)
Why each option
To address declining team performance, especially from a team with a good past record, the project manager should first hold a team meeting to identify the root cause of the performance drop.
Reviewing plans and assets might provide context, but it doesn't directly address the specific cause of the current team performance decline, which requires direct interaction with the team.
Submitting a change request and estimating baseline impacts are reactive measures to the symptoms (impact on KPIs), not proactive steps to understand and resolve the root cause of the performance issue itself.
Implementing compression techniques addresses the schedule delay symptom but does not resolve the root cause of the declining team performance, potentially leading to burnout and further quality issues.
Engaging the team directly to understand the underlying reasons for their performance decline is the most effective first step, as they are best positioned to identify the root causes, potential challenges, and suggest viable solutions.
Concept tested: Team performance management and root cause analysis
Topics
Community Discussion
7
Zlatan X.Jul 5, 2026D is the correct answer. Since this team has a proven track record on similar initiatives, the performance drop points to a contextual disruption tied to the leadership transition rather than a capability gap. Calling a team meeting to identify the root cause aligns with stakeholder engagement and servant leadership principles, ensuring the new manager understands the operational reality before imposing fixes. Options B and C jump straight into governance changes or schedule tactics without diagnosing why performance declined, and A is a document review that delays the direct conversational feedback loop needed to stabilize team dynamics.
Lena V.Jun 21, 2026Leaned toward A first since reviewing the resource management plan sounds like the textbook move, but the question is asking what to do next to address declining performance and the team has delivered well on similar projects before, so the real issue is something changed that only the team can explain. D is correct because you need to get the team in a room and identify the root cause before you can fix anything.
Luis F.Jun 24, 2026Yeah D makes sense because if they delivered well before something changed and you need to hear it from them directly, though I would call it a root cause analysis session rather than just getting them in a room.
Luis F.Jul 5, 2026D on my exam last week. Team meeting first, always find the root cause.
Zlatan X.Jul 7, 2026Agreed on D, but on the real exam frame it as the program manager enabling structured root cause analysis across components, not just scheduling another team meeting, because the distinction between facilitating collaboration and governing interdependency resolution is exactly what the question is testing.
Yuki V.Jul 5, 2026I first leaned toward A since reviewing the resource management plan sounded like the textbook move, but the question says this same team performed well on similar projects before, so the issue is probably specific to the current environment and not something documented in old assets. That points to D because you need to actually talk to the team and find the root cause before you can fix anything.
Viktor S.Jun 26, 2026D is the right call here because performance dropped after a leadership change, so you need to actually talk to the team and find out why before doing anything else. Why do you think A sounds tempting, and what would reviewing documents actually accomplish that a direct conversation with the people doing the work wouldnt?