PMP · Question #5
A project manager identifies an issue between two team members that is affecting the development of one of the deliverables during the second iteration of a project. How should the project manager add
The correct answer is D. Schedule a meeting with both team members to understand the issue and facilitate a solution that. When an issue between two team members affects a project deliverable, the project manager should first schedule a direct meeting with them to understand the conflict and facilitate a solution.
Question
A project manager identifies an issue between two team members that is affecting the development of one of the deliverables during the second iteration of a project. How should the project manager address this issue to avoid any impact to the project?
Options
- ASend a warning to both team members indicating that if the issue continues, both will be removed
- BEscalate both team members to their respective functional managers and let them take the
- CContact the functional managers to request substitutes for the conflicting team members
- DSchedule a meeting with both team members to understand the issue and facilitate a solution that
How the community answered
(40 responses)- A10% (4)
- B13% (5)
- C5% (2)
- D73% (29)
Why each option
When an issue between two team members affects a project deliverable, the project manager should first schedule a direct meeting with them to understand the conflict and facilitate a solution.
Sending a warning and threatening removal is an authoritarian approach that is likely to escalate the conflict, demotivate the team, and undermine trust rather than facilitate a resolution.
Immediately escalating to functional managers bypasses the project manager's primary responsibility for direct team management and conflict resolution, potentially escalating the issue unnecessarily.
Requesting substitutes is an extreme measure that should only be considered as a last resort after all attempts at direct conflict resolution by the project manager have failed, as it can disrupt team cohesion and project continuity.
The project manager is responsible for team dynamics and conflict resolution within the project. Scheduling a meeting with the involved team members is the most appropriate first step to understand the root cause of the issue and facilitate a constructive solution directly, promoting communication and resolution without immediate escalation.
Concept tested: Conflict resolution, team management, communication skills
Topics
Community Discussion
3
Bao N.Feb 10, 2026D is the correct answer. Saw this one on three different practice sets last week and it trips people up because B sounds like the traditional PMBOK move, but in an agile setting you handle team issues directly and collaboratively. The key phrase is "second iteration" which puts you squarely in servant-leader territory, so you facilitate the conversation rather than punting to functional managers or threatening people. A and C are straight-up wrong on any PMP question because they kill team cohesion and trust instantly.
Toby R.Mar 1, 2026Just sat for the exam last month and had almost this exact scenario, so D is the move here. Agile and PMP both want you to facilitate and coach first, not jump straight to punishment or escalation, so scheduling that meeting to understand root cause is the only answer that fits the mindset. A and C are too aggressive for a first offense, and B just punts the problem to someone else without solving anything. Does anyone know if the real exam always cuts off the option text like that in the actual dump, or is the full "facilitate a solution" wording usually visible?
Yuki V.Feb 17, 2026D is the right call here. In an agile setting the PM or Scrum Master should coach the team to resolve their own conflicts rather than escalating or punishing right away. Scheduling a meeting to facilitate a solution keeps ownership with the team and protects the deliverable without derailing the iteration. I am still a little fuzzy on when you should escalate to functional managers versus handling it internally though, does anyone have a clear rule of thumb for that cutoff?