PMP · Question #85
In a time-critical construction project, a misunderstanding occurred between the supervisor and the technician. The misunderstanding turned into a major conflict and the technician has complained to t
The correct answer is A. Use a direct, collaborative approach with the technician and supervisor. In a high-stakes conflict, the project manager should directly facilitate a collaborative discussion between the involved parties to understand both perspectives and find a mutually agreeable solution.
Question
Options
- AUse a direct, collaborative approach with the technician and supervisor
- BProvide a just-in-time training to the technician to improve their skill set
- CReplace the technician with a high performing resource as time is critical
- DTalk to the supervisor to tone down their approach and attitude
How the community answered
(51 responses)- A75% (38)
- B6% (3)
- C16% (8)
- D4% (2)
Why each option
In a high-stakes conflict, the project manager should directly facilitate a collaborative discussion between the involved parties to understand both perspectives and find a mutually agreeable solution.
A direct, collaborative approach involves bringing both the technician and the supervisor together to discuss the conflict openly, clarify misunderstandings, and work towards a resolution that addresses both performance and interpersonal issues. This method, often facilitated by the project manager, aims to foster mutual understanding and commitment to a solution, which is crucial for maintaining team cohesion and project progress, especially in time-critical projects.
Providing training only addresses one possible cause (performance) and ignores the interpersonal conflict, which may not be solely due to skill gaps.
Replacing a team member, especially in a time-critical project, incurs costs, delays, and potential loss of institutional knowledge, and doesn't address the underlying conflict dynamics.
Talking only to the supervisor is a one-sided approach that doesn't fully address the technician's concerns or facilitate a joint resolution between the conflicting parties.
Concept tested: Conflict resolution; team management
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/project-resource-management
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Olusegun A.Mar 29, 2026A. Collaborate directly with both parties. PMBOK wants you to confront the conflict head-on with a problem-solving mindset, not sidestep it with training, replacements, or talking to one side behind the other's back.
Wei W.Mar 29, 2026Agree on A, and worth adding that the exam frames direct collaboration as the default for a reason: it surfaces assumptions, keeps the decision with the people closest to the work, and avoids the handoff drag you get when a manager steps in to broker a deal the team could have reached itself.
Wei W.Apr 2, 2026A is right but collaborative sounds slow for time-critical, C is the trap.
Ingrid P.Apr 16, 2026C. On a time-critical project you cannot afford a spiraling conflict that halts progress, and the supervisor is the one in the authority role here so you back them and swap the technician for a high performing resource. I made a flashcard for this one: scenario says time-critical plus authority figure cites poor performance equals replace the resource, review interval 3 days because it trips people who reflexively pick collaborate.
Wei W.Apr 18, 2026A is correct here. Swapping a team member without attempting collaboration first violates agile values of respect and self-organization, and the exam expects you to facilitate a conversation between the supervisor and technician before escalating to replacement, even on a time-critical project.