PMP · Question #416
A project has a very tight delivery schedule. The project is approaching the delivery date and the project sponsor often sends the project manager alerts to avoid any schedule slippage. The project te
The correct answer is C. Award certificates of appreciation to encourage the team. To maintain high team performance during a tight schedule, the project manager should use recognition and appreciation as a motivational tool.
Question
A project has a very tight delivery schedule. The project is approaching the delivery date and the project sponsor often sends the project manager alerts to avoid any schedule slippage. The project team has performed at an acceptable level until now but the project manager wants to ensure the team's performance level is maintained until the end. What action should the project manager take to motivate the project team's performance?
Options
- ASend a formal notice to team members instructing them to maintain performance
- BHire a few temporary team members to help with the additional work
- CAward certificates of appreciation to encourage the team
- DInform the team about the delivery pressure from the project sponsor
How the community answered
(37 responses)- A11% (4)
- B3% (1)
- C78% (29)
- D8% (3)
Why each option
To maintain high team performance during a tight schedule, the project manager should use recognition and appreciation as a motivational tool.
Sending a formal notice is a negative and demotivating approach that implies distrust and could decrease morale, leading to a decline in performance rather than maintaining it.
Hiring temporary team members late in the project can disrupt team dynamics, require additional onboarding time, and may not be effective for a project approaching its delivery date, especially if the current team is already performing well.
Recognizing and appreciating the team's efforts, especially under pressure and after consistent good performance, is a powerful motivator. Awarding certificates of appreciation acknowledges their hard work, boosts morale, and encourages them to sustain their performance, preventing burnout and maintaining commitment until project completion, which is crucial for tight schedules.
While transparency is generally good, simply informing the team about sponsor pressure without offering support or appreciation can increase stress and anxiety, potentially leading to burnout rather than sustained high performance.
Concept tested: Team motivation and recognition
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok
Topics
Community Discussion
7
Anjali D.Jun 29, 2026Our group landed on C. Since the team is already performing acceptably and you just need to sustain that through the finish line, recognition and rewards are the textbook motivator here, whereas a formal notice or passing along sponsor pressure would only add stress.
Lena V.Jun 20, 2026C is the answer but certificates of appreciation sounds corny. D is the trap because it seems transparent to share the sponsor pressure, but that just adds stress. PMI wants positive reinforcement, not panic.
Orla P.Jun 26, 2026C on exam. Anyone know if rewards must always be tangible to count?
Lena V.Jun 28, 2026C is right, and no, rewards can be intangible - recognition and extra PTO both count on the exam.
Fatima Z.Jul 5, 2026I first leaned toward D, thinking transparency about the sponsor pressure would light a fire, but that just spikes stress and tanks morale on a tight schedule. C is the PMP give here because recognition is the positive motivator in PMI land, so remember the acronym CARROTS: Certificates, Appreciation, Recognition, Reward, To Sustain.
Grace U.Jul 4, 2026I went with D here. Transparency is a powerful motivator, and adults generally respond well to understanding the real context behind a push. The team has been performing acceptably, so they don't need threats or remedial help, they just need to know why the final stretch matters and who is counting on them. Framing the sponsor's alerts as shared stakes rather than pressure from above keeps the team aligned and treated like partners in getting across the finish line.
Lena V.Jul 4, 2026C is the right call here. Since the team is performing acceptably, the best move is to buffer them from the sponsor's pressure and handle the escalation yourself rather than passing that context down.