PMP · Question #18
A project manager is leading a team of diverse individuals of all ages. The working hours for the project were set at the beginning of the project, and all team members agreed to the hours. However, l
The correct answer is D. Reassess the team's hours collaboratively so that the team is not impeded by the issue. When a team member's personal commitments conflict with agreed-upon working hours, the project manager should collaboratively reassess the team's schedule to find a flexible solution that accommodates the change and maintains team productivity.
Question
Options
- ADiscuss the lack of dedication with the team member and their functional manager
- BAllow the most senior team members to decide the time that works for the team
- CRemove the team member from the project team to be fair to the other members
- DReassess the team's hours collaboratively so that the team is not impeded by the issue
How the community answered
(27 responses)- A4% (1)
- B7% (2)
- C15% (4)
- D74% (20)
Why each option
When a team member's personal commitments conflict with agreed-upon working hours, the project manager should collaboratively reassess the team's schedule to find a flexible solution that accommodates the change and maintains team productivity.
Discussing a 'lack of dedication' is an accusatory and unprofessional response that can damage team morale and trust, failing to address the team member's genuine personal commitments.
Allowing only the most senior team members to decide new hours undermines the initial collaborative agreement and may not address the diverse needs or new commitments of all team members, potentially creating resentment.
Removing a team member from the project due to personal commitments is an extreme measure that can lead to loss of expertise, project disruption, and negative team morale, and should only be considered as a last resort after collaborative solutions have failed.
When a team member's personal commitments conflict with previously agreed-upon hours, the project manager should collaboratively engage the entire team to reassess working hours. This inclusive approach fosters a supportive environment, promotes team cohesion, and helps find a flexible solution that accommodates the individual's needs while ensuring the project's progress and minimal disruption.
Concept tested: Team Management, Conflict Resolution, Adaptive Leadership
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Luis F.Apr 22, 2026D is the right call here. PMI loves the collaborative approach, and since the original hours were a team agreement, you work with the team to reassess rather than punishing the person or escalating to their functional manager.
Yusuf A.Apr 22, 2026Agreed on D, and the senior PM on my team always says the key word in these stems is "reassess" - it tells you the estimate itself is back on the table, not just the person's performance.
Yusuf A.Apr 9, 2026D is the answer here. My senior PM always says collaborative problem solving beats punitive action, but I am curious, would the answer change if the team had already signed off on a team charter with those specific hours documented?
Luis F.Apr 11, 2026Good point Yusuf but a charter with documented hours actually reinforces D because the collaborative approach would reference that agreement as the baseline for the conversation rather than jumping to enforcement.
Ingrid P.Apr 15, 2026C is the call here. The team charter and ground rules were set and agreed by everyone, so when a member cannot honor that commitment the PM has to enforce accountability and remove them rather than renegotiate terms mid-project and signal that the agreement is optional.
Yusuf A.Apr 17, 2026D is the right call here Ingrid. A senior PM at my company showed me that when someone cant honor a commitment the first move is to talk with them and renegotiate or adjust the agreement, not jump straight to removal, especially if the charter was meant to be a living document.