PMP · Question #953
For the second time in a week, one of the team members failed to deliver their assigned work. As a result, it is impossible for the team to achieve their agreed-upon target. What should the project…
The correct answer is C. Discuss the issue with the team member to identify the root cause and work to resolve it. When a team member repeatedly fails to deliver assigned work, the project manager must engage directly with that individual to understand the root cause of the issue and collaborate on a resolution.
Question
Options
- AInsist that the team member maintain the agreed-upon rate of output to maintain the deadline.
- BReview the project team's performance level and discuss areas for improvement.
- CDiscuss the issue with the team member to identify the root cause and work to resolve it.
- DSeek a replacement who has the same skillset and availability as the team member.
How the community answered
(32 responses)- A3% (1)
- B3% (1)
- C84% (27)
- D9% (3)
Why each option
When a team member repeatedly fails to deliver assigned work, the project manager must engage directly with that individual to understand the root cause of the issue and collaborate on a resolution.
Insisting on output without understanding underlying issues will likely worsen the problem and demotivate the team member.
While overall team performance reviews are valuable, the immediate issue requires a targeted discussion with the specific individual.
Engaging directly with the team member to understand the root cause is crucial for effective performance management. This helps identify any obstacles, lack of skills, workload issues, or personal challenges, enabling the project manager to provide appropriate support or re-evaluate expectations.
Seeking a replacement is a last resort and should only be considered after attempts to resolve the issue with the current team member have failed.
Concept tested: Project Team Performance Management
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Mateus R.May 3, 2026C is the answer. Think of it like a truck breaking down twice on the same route: you don't just yell at the driver to go faster or swap in a new rig, you pop the hood and find out what is actually causing the failure, which in PMP terms means collaborating with the team member to identify the root cause and resolve it.
Viktor S.May 15, 2026C is the right call here because PMP wants you to investigate root causes before escalating to punitive measures, and A is the kind of command-and-control reflex that tanks your score. What I always wonder though is where the line sits between coaching a struggling team member and when you actually pull the trigger on a replacement, because D starts looking pretty reasonable if the root cause turns out to be a fundamental skills gap rather than something fixable.
Brenda K.May 28, 2026C confirmed. PMI wants root cause first, clock this as a quick win.
Viktor S.May 29, 2026C is right but skip the quick win framing, because if you go into the exam expecting shortcuts you will miss the questions where PMI wants corrective action or preventive action instead of root cause.
Yuki V.Apr 24, 2026C confirmed on my exam. PMI always wants root cause before any replacement talk.