PMP · Question #573
A highly critical project is in jeopardy due to missing professional resources. What should the newly assigned project manager do first?
The correct answer is A. Find available professionals within the organization to fill the gaps. When a critical project is jeopardized by missing professional resources, the new project manager should first look for available resources within the organization.
Question
A highly critical project is in jeopardy due to missing professional resources. What should the newly assigned project manager do first?
Options
- AFind available professionals within the organization to fill the gaps.
- BDetermine the possibility for team members to split up the required tasks.
- CAllocate funding for seeking external professionals to fill the gaps.
- DRequest additional budget for team training for the missing expertise.
How the community answered
(32 responses)- A75% (24)
- B9% (3)
- C13% (4)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
When a critical project is jeopardized by missing professional resources, the new project manager should first look for available resources within the organization.
The first and most cost-effective step when facing missing professional resources is to explore internal organizational resources. Identifying available professionals within the company can quickly fill gaps without incurring immediate external hiring costs or delays associated with procurement.
While cross-training or reassigning tasks to existing team members can be an option, it may overload the current team or require significant training, which might not be suitable for 'missing professional resources' on a 'highly critical' project.
Allocating funding for external professionals is a viable option but typically follows the exhaustion of internal options due to higher costs and longer procurement times.
Requesting additional budget for training is a long-term solution to develop internal capabilities, but it does not address the immediate resource jeopardy on a 'highly critical' project.
Concept tested: Resource acquisition and management
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/project-resource-management
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Hiroshi T.Jul 5, 2026A is correct. Per the PMBOK Guide, Acquire Resources directs the PM to look internally first before going outside the organization, because enterprise environmental factors and existing staff availability must be assessed before spending new budget. Option C jumps to external hiring and option D jumps to training, both of which bypass the resource management process and incur unnecessary cost or delay on a critical project. Option B is a workaround that risks quality on a highly critical deliverable, so you confirm internal availability first.
Luis F.Jul 6, 2026Agreed on A, though I would add that the internal vs external order is more about the Acquire Resources process inputs like the resource breakdown structure and org process assets, not just budget.
Luis F.Jun 27, 2026I first leaned toward B because splitting tasks among the team sounded like a quick fix, but then I realized the PM should first look internally for available professionals before changing the plan or spending money. A is the right call since you check your own org's resource pool first.
Ola B.Jun 16, 2026Went with C on this one. When a highly critical project is already in jeopardy from missing professional resources, the fastest reliable fix is funding external hires, and the PM controls that by securing budget first.
Hiroshi T.Jun 19, 2026A is correct here. Per PMI, when a project lacks critical resources the PM should first review the resource management plan and negotiate for internal staff before requesting external funding, so C skips a required step.