PMP · Question #89
A project manager is managing a project with a hybrid approach and has requested a senior team member to perform a quantitative risk analysis. The team member responds that they do not have the knowle
The correct answer is A. Help the team member to perform the quantitative risk analysis through coaching, mentoring, and. The project manager should coach and mentor the team member to develop the necessary skills for quantitative risk analysis, fostering their growth while fulfilling project needs.
Question
Options
- AHelp the team member to perform the quantitative risk analysis through coaching, mentoring, and
- BEscalate the issue to the functional manager
- CPerform the quantitative risk analysis for the team member
- DContact the project management office (PMO) and request them to assign another team member
How the community answered
(58 responses)- A71% (41)
- B9% (5)
- C5% (3)
- D16% (9)
Why each option
The project manager should coach and mentor the team member to develop the necessary skills for quantitative risk analysis, fostering their growth while fulfilling project needs.
A project manager is responsible for developing their team members' skills and capabilities, especially when a senior team member expresses a knowledge gap. Providing coaching, mentoring, or training allows the team member to acquire the necessary expertise to perform the assigned task, strengthening the team and empowering individual growth, which is a key aspect of project resource management and leadership.
Escalating to the functional manager for a skill gap without first attempting to provide support is often premature and can be detrimental to team morale and development.
Performing the task for the team member prevents their professional development and places an additional burden on the project manager, which is not a sustainable solution.
Requesting a different team member from the PMO without attempting to develop the current resource is often inefficient and ignores an opportunity for skill enhancement within the existing team.
Concept tested: Team development; coaching and mentoring
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/project-resource-management
Topics
Community Discussion
9
Hiroshi T.Dec 30, 2025A is correct. PMI's stance is that the project manager develops the team, per the Resource Management knowledge area. Coaching and mentoring come before escalation or reassignment. Options B and D skip that step, and C just takes the work away, which defeats the purpose of team growth. A hybrid environment still expects the PM to build competency in place, not shuffle people around at the first gap.
Orla P.Jan 1, 2026Agree on A, and one thing to add: flag this question and move on if you see it on exam day, because people burn ten minutes second-guessing the coaching versus mentoring wording when the PMI-isms make the answer obvious.
Yuki V.Jan 13, 2026Confirmed A on my exam last week. The coaching and mentoring angle is the PMI default for skill gaps, though the answer text cuts off mid-sentence which is annoying.
Orla P.Jan 15, 2026The cut-off answer text is a Pearson VUE display bug, not the exam itself, so if you screenshot or flag it the proctor can sometimes refresh the item so you can read the full option before you lock in your answer.
Lena V.Dec 16, 2025Leaned toward B first since the team member flat out said they lack the knowledge. But A is the PMP answer because coaching and mentoring is the expected first step before escalating or replacing anyone.
Yuki V.Dec 18, 2025Coaching is the go-to but the question stem matters because if the knowledge gap is blocking a critical path you pair coaching with training rather than treating mentoring as a one size fits all fix.
Orla P.Jan 10, 2026A is the right call here. Coaching and mentoring your people is always the first move before escalating or reshuffling the team, and it keeps the project moving without burning time on a personnel swap at the testing center.
Lena V.Jan 11, 2026Agreed on A, but note the exam frames it as coaching to close a skills gap, not general mentoring, so watch for that wording distinction in similar questions.
Wesley A.Jan 18, 2026Got this exact question on my second attempt, picked A because coaching is always the PMP default here.