PMP · Question #336
During the implementation stage of a project, a newly appointed team leader approaches the project manager to verify the team's tasks and schedule. The work did not go as planned due to the team leade
The correct answer is D. Provide mentoring to the newly appointed team leader. When a newly appointed team leader's inexperience causes project delays, the project manager should provide mentoring to develop their skills and address the root cause.
Question
During the implementation stage of a project, a newly appointed team leader approaches the project manager to verify the team's tasks and schedule. The work did not go as planned due to the team leader's lack of management experience. This could cause delays for the project. What should the project manager do?
Options
- AAsk the human resources director to appoint a senior team leader
- BInform the project sponsor about the possible delay
- CDirectly manage the project team to avoid project delays
- DProvide mentoring to the newly appointed team leader
How the community answered
(30 responses)- A20% (6)
- B3% (1)
- C7% (2)
- D70% (21)
Why each option
When a newly appointed team leader's inexperience causes project delays, the project manager should provide mentoring to develop their skills and address the root cause.
Replacing the team leader with a senior one might solve the immediate problem but does not support the existing team member's growth or address the organization's need for developing talent.
Informing the sponsor is necessary if the delay is unavoidable or significant, but it does not proactively address the underlying issue or help the team leader develop their management skills.
Directly managing the project team bypasses the team leader, undermining their authority and preventing them from gaining the necessary experience and skills to lead independently in the future.
Providing mentoring to the new team leader is the most effective and supportive approach, as it addresses the root cause of the problem (lack of experience) while developing the team member's capabilities for future projects and fostering growth.
Concept tested: Project manager's role in team development and mentoring
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/manage-project-team
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Wei W.Jul 5, 2026D is the call. You grow people instead of swapping them out, and mentoring the new team leader gets them contributing to a working increment faster than escalating or taking over.
Lena V.Jul 1, 2026A is the right call here. The stem explicitly flags a lack of management experience as the root cause, and bringing in a senior team leader through HR directly addresses the competency gap rather than papering over it with mentoring or escalations.
Wei W.Jul 2, 2026D is the correct answer. An Agile team is self-organizing, so the right move is to let the team own the problem and collaborate on a solution rather than inserting an external authority figure to fix it for them.
Imani T.Jul 5, 2026Going with B. Sponsor needs to know about delays early, no sugarcoating.
Wei W.Jul 5, 2026D is the right call here. The exam is looking for empirical process control, which means bringing actual working increment data to the sponsor rather than just reporting a delay in the abstract. B is the conventional PM mindset and will cost you the point.