PMP · Question #574
Travel restrictions are suddenly imposed during a project's execution. The team members reside in different geographic locations. What should the project manager do next to address this issue?
The correct answer is B. Ask the team members to proceed independently while examining needs and alternatives. When sudden travel restrictions impact a geographically dispersed team, the project manager should immediately empower the team to continue independent work while assessing new needs and alternative operational methods.
Question
Travel restrictions are suddenly imposed during a project's execution. The team members reside in different geographic locations. What should the project manager do next to address this issue?
Options
- AObtain and implement the sponsor's recommendations for a solution.
- BAsk the team members to proceed independently while examining needs and alternatives.
- CPlace a hold on activities until the team can resume the work on-site.
- DHalt all processes until procurement and implementation of solutions are completed.
How the community answered
(21 responses)- A19% (4)
- B71% (15)
- C5% (1)
- D5% (1)
Why each option
When sudden travel restrictions impact a geographically dispersed team, the project manager should immediately empower the team to continue independent work while assessing new needs and alternative operational methods.
While sponsor input is valuable, the project manager should first take immediate action to mitigate the impact and gather information before soliciting recommendations, especially if the team can continue some work.
Asking team members to proceed independently while examining needs and alternatives maintains project momentum and leverages the team's ability to adapt to new constraints. This approach ensures work continues where possible, preventing unnecessary delays, while the project manager and team collectively explore long-term solutions for collaboration in a remote environment.
Placing a hold on activities until on-site work can resume is typically not feasible for projects with sudden, unpredictable travel restrictions, as it would cause significant and potentially indefinite delays.
Halting all processes is an extreme measure that should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, as it stops all progress and can significantly impact project timelines and costs.
Concept tested: Adaptive planning and remote team management
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/project-resource-management
Topics
Community Discussion
4
Nina C.May 27, 2026Confirmed B on exam last week. The key here is that travel restrictions are an external issue, so the PM needs to figure out what the team actually requires and what alternatives exist before making big decisions. Option B lets the work continue in the meantime instead of freezing everything like C and D suggest, which would just hurt the project schedule. Also, going straight to the sponsor for a solution like A does skips the part where the PM is supposed to analyze the situation and present options first.
Toby R.May 24, 2026Sat for the exam last month and the answer is B. The PMI logic is that you keep work moving while you figure out alternatives, so C and D are traps because stopping work entirely is always the wrong move unless safety is at risk. Does anyone know if they expect you to jump straight to implementing virtual collaboration tools, or is just assessing needs and alternatives enough to satisfy the question stem?
Luis F.May 24, 2026B is right but in my experience they want you to actually get the tools up and running, not just sit around assessing needs forever, so pick the answer that shows action over analysis.
Luis F.May 9, 2026B for sure, saw this on my exam last month, the proceed independently part is the giveaway.