PMP · Question #325
A project manager who is new to an organization observes that an approaching deadline is likely to be missed because there have been some delays on the project due to a lack of resources. What should
The correct answer is D. Organize a team meeting to discuss the next course of action.. Upon observing potential missed deadlines due to resource delays, the project manager should first organize a team meeting to collaboratively understand the situation and determine the best course of action.
Question
A project manager who is new to an organization observes that an approaching deadline is likely to be missed because there have been some delays on the project due to a lack of resources. What should the project manager do next?
Options
- AReview the risk management plan to identify the response strategy.
- BEscalate the issue to the sponsor and debrief them about the situation.
- CReview the milestone list to determine which tasks can be fast-tracked.
- DOrganize a team meeting to discuss the next course of action.
How the community answered
(27 responses)- A11% (3)
- B4% (1)
- C4% (1)
- D81% (22)
Why each option
Upon observing potential missed deadlines due to resource delays, the project manager should first organize a team meeting to collaboratively understand the situation and determine the best course of action.
While resource issues can be risks, reviewing the risk management plan might provide general strategies but won't give specific solutions for the current, active problem without team input.
Escalation to the sponsor is premature without first understanding the full scope of the problem and potential internal solutions from the team.
Fast-tracking is a potential solution, but deciding to fast-track without consulting the team about feasibility and other options is not the immediate next step.
Before escalating or making unilateral decisions, the project manager should consult the project team as they are closest to the work and can provide valuable insights into the delays, potential solutions, and the true impact of resource constraints.
Concept tested: Initial project manager response to project delays
Source: https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/resolving-project-problems-using-team-6523
Topics
Community Discussion
9
Samuel O.Jul 5, 2026D is the right call here. Coming into a new org cold, you do not yet know the political landscape or who actually has pull to get you resources, so gathering the team first to talk through options makes sense before you go escalating to the sponsor. A is a trap because a resource shortage that is actively causing a missed deadline is an issue, not a risk, so the risk register is not where you look. PMI wants you to engage the team and collaborate on next steps before jumping straight to the sponsor or shuffling the schedule around.
Luis F.Jul 5, 2026D is right but B is tempting since PM is new to the org.
Yuki V.Jul 6, 2026Agreed on D, but B is tempting because a new PM lacks historical data, which is exactly why they would lean on organizational process assets instead of expert judgment.
Yuki V.Jul 2, 2026Going with D here. B is tempting because missing a deadline feels like an escalate situation, but the PM just got there and has not even talked to the team yet, so you involve them first before running to the sponsor.
Hiroshi T.Jul 4, 2026D is correct per PMBOK Guide 6th Edition, Section 9.5.2.2: the project manager should first consult the project team to assess the schedule variance and identify corrective actions before escalating to the sponsor, since escalation is reserved for issues that exceed the project managers authority or ability to resolve internally.
Zlatan X.Jul 5, 2026D wins because PMI wants team engagement first, but does governance ever override that?
Samuel O.Jul 8, 2026Good catch on D, and yes governance absolutely overrides engagement when you are dealing with regulated data or compliance findings, I have seen auditors shut down a project mid-sprint because the team skipped a change control step that everyone thought was bureaucratic overhead.
Hiroshi T.Jul 5, 2026D is correct per PMI mindset. B tempts you but escalate is premature here.
Zlatan X.Jul 5, 2026Agree on D, though I would frame the reasoning as the program manager resolving the issue at the appropriate governance layer rather than simply avoiding escalation, since B becomes the right answer when the issue crosses component boundaries and threatens benefits realization.