PMP · Question #8
A project manager has been asked for performance feedback regarding one of the team members. The project manager would like to gather additional input from the project team because there are no metric
The correct answer is C. Determine the appropriate approach. When asked for performance feedback for a team member without existing metrics, the project manager's next step is to determine an appropriate approach for gathering and evaluating that input.
Question
A project manager has been asked for performance feedback regarding one of the team members. The project manager would like to gather additional input from the project team because there are no metrics in place for evaluating employee performance. What should the project manager do next?
Options
- AIdentify levels of decision-making authority
- BEvaluate demonstrated task accountability
- CDetermine the appropriate approach
- DAnalyze team member influence
How the community answered
(39 responses)- A10% (4)
- B3% (1)
- C72% (28)
- D15% (6)
Why each option
When asked for performance feedback for a team member without existing metrics, the project manager's next step is to determine an appropriate approach for gathering and evaluating that input.
Identifying levels of decision-making authority relates to organizational structure and roles, not directly to the methodology for gathering an individual team member's performance feedback.
Evaluating demonstrated task accountability is a *type* of input that could be considered, but the project manager first needs to establish the overall *approach* for gathering and assessing such information without existing metrics.
Given the absence of formal metrics, the project manager must first define *how* performance feedback will be collected and assessed. This involves determining the criteria for evaluation, who will provide input (e.g., peers, supervisors), and the structure of the feedback process, before any actual data can be gathered.
Analyzing team member influence is a separate aspect of team dynamics and leadership, which is not the immediate concern when asked to provide direct performance feedback on an individual's work.
Concept tested: Performance appraisal planning, feedback methodology
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Bao N.Feb 8, 2026C is correct here. The stem tells you there are no metrics in place, so before the PM starts gathering input or evaluating anything, they need to figure out the right way to collect and structure that feedback. That is literally what determine the appropriate approach means in this context. B trips people up because it sounds like something you would actually do during the evaluation, but you cannot jump to that step until you have decided how the evaluation will work, which makes C the necessary next move.
Viktor S.Feb 11, 2026Agree on C, but the real transferable point is that determining the approach is not a one-time box to check, you revisit and adjust it as the feedback starts coming in and you learn what actually works.
Viktor S.Feb 11, 2026C is correct, and honestly this is one of those questions where people overthink it. The PM has no metrics and needs input from the team, so the next logical step is figuring out how to actually gather that feedback in a structured way, which is what "determine the appropriate approach" means. The other options jump ahead to specific evaluation methods or political mapping that assume you already have a process in place. You cannot evaluate accountability or influence until you decide how you are going to collect and weigh the team's input in the first place.
Yusuf A.Feb 1, 2026Went with C because my senior always says when there are no metrics you step back and figure out the right evaluation method first, not just jump into assessing people. B is tempting since accountability sounds like something you can actually measure, but without an agreed approach you are basically just guessing.
Bao N.Feb 2, 2026C is the right call here and your senior is spot on, but watch out because some exam variants flip the wording to make B sound like the governance answer, so anchor on the no metrics, no method phrasing in the stem.