PMP · Question #680
A project manager decided to use a highly adaptive approach to manage a large-scale project. In this project, there are many iterative tasks that utilize highly specialized experts. The project manage
The correct answer is B. Explain the higher-level objectives to be assigned to the team.. For a large-scale project using a highly adaptive approach with specialized experts, the project manager should clearly communicate the higher-level objectives to the team.
Question
A project manager decided to use a highly adaptive approach to manage a large-scale project. In this project, there are many iterative tasks that utilize highly specialized experts. The project manager would like to create practical plans with high levels of buy-in from the team members. What should the project manager do next?
Options
- AAssign critical tasks to the most experienced team members.
- BExplain the higher-level objectives to be assigned to the team.
- CReview the budget with the team for the needed resources.
- DReview lessons learned from similar projects with the team.
How the community answered
(30 responses)- A10% (3)
- B70% (21)
- C3% (1)
- D17% (5)
Why each option
For a large-scale project using a highly adaptive approach with specialized experts, the project manager should clearly communicate the higher-level objectives to the team.
Assigning critical tasks is a tactical step that typically follows the team's understanding of the objectives and their input into planning, rather than being the immediate next step for gaining buy-in and practical plans.
In an adaptive project environment, explaining the overall goals and objectives provides the necessary context for specialized experts to understand the 'why' behind their tasks. This fosters autonomy, encourages the team to contribute their expertise effectively to planning, and increases their buy-in, leading to more practical and collaborative plans.
Reviewing the budget with the team is an important aspect of project management but does not directly address the need for defining practical plans or securing team buy-in on the project's work objectives themselves.
Reviewing lessons learned from similar projects is a valuable activity for continuous improvement and risk management, but it doesn't immediately facilitate the creation of practical plans or ensure high buy-in for the current project's specific objectives.
Concept tested: Adaptive planning, objective communication, team buy-in
Source: https://scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#scrum-team-product-goal
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Mateus R.May 19, 2026Confirmed B on exam last week. Think of it like handing a master carpenter a blueprint showing the finished house rather than a step-by-step manual telling him how to swing his hammer - you give highly specialized experts the high-level objectives and let them figure out the details, which buys you the team commitment the question is asking about. In an adaptive environment, you empower self-organizing teams by defining outcomes, not prescribing tasks. Option A smells like traditional command-and-control assignment and kills the buy-in you need.
Fatima Z.May 20, 2026Solid B, and here is a sticky way to remember the why: O for Outcomes over T for Tasks, because handing a team an Objective buys Total commitment, while handing them a To-do list kills it.
Fatima Z.May 2, 2026B is correct. Think O for Objectives, O for Ownership: in an adaptive approach you explain the higher-level goals and let the specialized experts self-organize, which gives you that practical plan plus real buy-in.
Carlos M.Jun 2, 2026B is the answer. In an adaptive environment you give the team the high-level objectives and let the specialists figure out the execution details, which is what drives buy-in. Does anyone know if the PMP still treats servant leadership and empowering the team as the default for these adaptive scenario questions, or has the weighting shifted in the recent exam updates?
Grace U.May 7, 2026I first leaned toward D because reviewing lessons learned seemed like a natural starting point, but the key phrases here are highly adaptive and high levels of buy-in. In an adaptive environment, you explain the higher-level objectives and let the specialized team members figure out how to accomplish them, which is exactly what B describes.