PMP · Question #585
A distributed project team has communication issues because of their collaboration tools. The team feels that efficiency could be improved by changing the collaboration platform. What should the…
The correct answer is D. Discuss this with the project team and select the appropriate tools. When a distributed team faces collaboration tool issues impacting efficiency, the project manager should involve the team in discussing and selecting new, appropriate tools.
Question
A distributed project team has communication issues because of their collaboration tools. The team feels that efficiency could be improved by changing the collaboration platform. What should the project manager do?
Options
- AImplement the communication tools used by other project teams.
- BEscalate the issue to the sponsor and ask them to decide.
- CInform the project team to continue using the current tools.
- DDiscuss this with the project team and select the appropriate tools.
How the community answered
(25 responses)- A4% (1)
- B4% (1)
- C8% (2)
- D84% (21)
Why each option
When a distributed team faces collaboration tool issues impacting efficiency, the project manager should involve the team in discussing and selecting new, appropriate tools.
Implementing tools from other teams without team input may not address the specific needs and issues of this particular distributed team.
Escalating to the sponsor for a decision bypasses the team's ability to self-organize and make operational choices, which can be disempowering and inefficient.
Forcing the team to continue using inefficient tools ignores their feedback, will likely lead to continued frustration, and will hinder project efficiency.
The project team members are the primary users and experts on their daily workflow; discussing the issue and jointly selecting new collaboration tools with them empowers the team, fosters buy-in, and ensures the chosen solution genuinely addresses their needs and improves efficiency.
Concept tested: Team empowerment in tool selection
Topics
Community Discussion
8
Olusegun A.Jul 5, 2026D is the right call. The PM owns the decision but you consult the team first since they are the ones actually using the tools, and getting their input drives buy-in instead of forcing something on them.
Yuki V.Jul 5, 2026I first leaned toward A because if another team already has working tools, why not just reuse what they have, right? But the exam wants you to involve the team in decisions that directly affect their daily work, especially on a distributed project where buy-in matters. D is the collaborative approach the PMBOK keeps pushing, and it showed up almost word for word on my exam last month. The memory hook that got me through these: if the team raises a problem with how they work, the answer is almost always to discuss it with them first, not impose a solution from the outside.
Prof. SaraJul 6, 2026Yuki's memory hook is spot on for Domain 4, with one caveat: if the stem mentions a strict deadline or a compliance constraint, you may need to pair that collaborative discussion with a fast fallback like a proof of concept so you do not stall delivery while consensus builds.
Prof. SaraJun 21, 2026Leaned toward A but D is correct: servant leadership means collaborate with the team.
Wesley A.Jun 21, 2026Agree on D but the trap on A is that "servant" makes people think it means serving stakeholders, when really the whole point is removing blockers for the team so they can self organize.
Bao N.Jul 5, 2026D is the right call here. The PMI mindset is all about team involvement and collaborative problem solving, so you discuss the issue with the people actually using the tools. A trips some test takers up because copying another team seems efficient, but every project has different communication needs. C is too dismissive and B is premature escalation for something the team can solve together.
Wesley A.Jul 3, 2026Picked A first, realized PM should discuss with team, not force tools on them.
Prof. SaraJul 4, 2026Good catch on A because the PMI mindset is collaborative decision making, but remember the exam expects you to distinguish between facilitating a team discussion and deferring to the team on process, so the PM still owns the final call.