PMP · Question #920
A team has noticed a labeling mistake in two different prototypes. The mistake resulted in a need to apply a different destructive testing plan for each prototype. This resulted in a decline in team m
The correct answer is B. Influence stakeholders to support the team allowing recovery within limits.. A labeling mistake leading to altered testing plans and low morale requires the project lead to secure stakeholder support to manage the impact and allow the team to recover.
Question
A team has noticed a labeling mistake in two different prototypes. The mistake resulted in a need to apply a different destructive testing plan for each prototype. This resulted in a decline in team morale. What should the project lead do?
Options
- ALead the team through the next sprint to prevent a similar issue.
- BInfluence stakeholders to support the team allowing recovery within limits.
- CBring in subject matter experts (SMEs) to coach the team.
- DUse cost and time contingencies to mitigate a project baseline impact.
How the community answered
(28 responses)- A21% (6)
- B68% (19)
- C7% (2)
- D4% (1)
Why each option
A labeling mistake leading to altered testing plans and low morale requires the project lead to secure stakeholder support to manage the impact and allow the team to recover.
While preventing similar issues in the next sprint is important for continuous improvement, the immediate concern is addressing the current negative impact on morale and the project's ability to recover from the mistake.
The project lead must acknowledge the impact of the mistake, which has affected team morale and requires different testing. By influencing stakeholders, the project lead can secure understanding, resources, or adjusted expectations (recovery within limits) to support the team. This demonstrates leadership, protects the team, and provides a path forward, thereby helping to restore morale.
Bringing in SMEs might help with technical solutions, but it doesn't directly address the team's morale or the broader project impact that requires stakeholder alignment.
Using contingencies addresses the project baseline impact, but it doesn't directly address the team's morale or the need for broader stakeholder understanding and support to navigate the situation.
Concept tested: Team morale and stakeholder support
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/resource-management
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Imani T.Jul 5, 2026B is the move here. Morale is shot, and the PM's job in that moment is to shield the team and get stakeholders to buy in on a recovery window with reasonable limits, not to sprint forward or just throw money at a baseline change. A ignores the human factor, C outsources a problem that is really a leadership and stakeholder issue, and D jumps straight to reserves before you have even attempted to manage expectations. B is servant leadership: you absorb the pressure from above so the team can recover.
Wesley A.Jul 8, 2026Agree on B and your reasoning is solid, but one thing that bit me on my first attempt: the wording on the real exam frames the recovery window as a negotiation, not a shield, so make sure you pick the option where the PM is actively engaging stakeholders on revised expectations, not just absorbing pressure silently.
Viktor S.Jun 25, 2026Leaned toward A first, but morale drop means shield the team, which is B.
Wesley A.Jun 28, 2026B is right but the trap I fell for first time around was that shield the team does not mean hide the issue from stakeholders, it means buffer them from the churn while still escalating upward.
Wesley A.Jul 5, 2026Failed this exact type of question my first attempt because I jumped straight to D, thinking contingencies solve everything. The key here is that the question emphasizes morale and team recovery, which points to servant leadership and stakeholder influence, not just throwing money at the problem. Does anyone have a clean way to distinguish when the exam wants you to use contingencies versus when it wants you to focus on people and influence?