PMP · Question #938
Five project team members are working on a software development project. As the time line for the project is very tight, the members are working overtime to keep the project on schedule. Recently…
The correct answer is D. Escalate to the project sponsor and seek approval for a schedule delay. Given a tight deadline, existing overtime, and the loss of 40% of the team, the project manager must escalate to the project sponsor to discuss the inevitable schedule impact. This ensures transparency and seeks formal approval for necessary adjustments.
Question
Five project team members are working on a software development project. As the time line for the project is very tight, the members are working overtime to keep the project on schedule. Recently, two members submitted resignations. What should the project manager do?
Options
- AAcquire experienced additional resources from third-party suppliers.
- BAssist the team to reallocate the task to the three team members.
- CAcquire replacements by starting the hiring process immediately.
- DEscalate to the project sponsor and seek approval for a schedule delay.
How the community answered
(35 responses)- A9% (3)
- B14% (5)
- C3% (1)
- D74% (26)
Why each option
Given a tight deadline, existing overtime, and the loss of 40% of the team, the project manager must escalate to the project sponsor to discuss the inevitable schedule impact. This ensures transparency and seeks formal approval for necessary adjustments.
Acquiring experienced additional resources is a potential solution, but it's a significant decision that needs sponsor approval, and it also takes time, so the immediate impact on the schedule needs to be addressed first.
Reallocating tasks to the remaining three team members will exacerbate the existing overtime issue, leading to further burnout and potential quality issues.
Starting a hiring process for replacements takes time, during which the project will continue to fall behind; this is not the immediate action to address the schedule crisis.
With a tight timeline, existing overtime, and the loss of two out of five team members (40%), the project schedule is severely compromised and likely unachievable. The project manager's immediate action should be to escalate the critical situation to the project sponsor, present the facts, and seek their approval for a schedule delay and/or additional resources to realign expectations and maintain project viability.
Concept tested: Project risk escalation and schedule management
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