PMP practice question 19 of 35

There are considerable differences in experience levels among project team members working on a project. Multiple stakeholders are requesting that deliverables relevant to them be assigned to the most experienced team members, which is not feasible. What should the project manager do?

Domain People

Answer options

A: Request additional experienced team members be assigned to the project and adjust the resource management plan.

B: Inform stakeholders that the team members have been assigned and are capable of completing the tasks.

C: Assign the activities from the beginning of the project to the less experienced team members to meet the timeline.

D: Create a team agreement so that experienced team members mentor the less experienced members throughout the project. Correct answer

Correct Answer:

D. Create a team agreement so that experienced team members mentor the less experienced members throughout the project.

Explanation

According to PMI principles, project managers are responsible for continuous team development and maximizing overall competency. When faced with varying experience levels and resource constraints, the most effective approach is to foster a collaborative environment where experienced members mentor less experienced ones. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on knowledge sharing and establishing a team agreement (or team charter) to define collaboration strategies and behavioral norms. By formalizing a mentoring arrangement within the team agreement, the project manager proactively addresses stakeholder concerns regarding deliverable quality while simultaneously upskilling the team. This avoids unnecessary resource requests and ensures sustainable project execution without compromising the schedule or budget.

Why Incorrect

Option A: Requesting new resources is a reactive escalation that ignores the project manager's responsibility to develop the current team and manage within existing project constraints.
Option B: Simply informing stakeholders dismisses their valid concerns about deliverable quality and fails to implement a proactive support strategy for the less experienced team members.
Option C: Arbitrarily assigning early tasks to less experienced members introduces high risk to the project schedule and quality without providing the necessary guidance or support.
3. References
1. Project Management Institute. (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Seventh Edition. Section 2.2 (Team Performance Domain), Section 2.2.1 (Project Team Management and Leadership - Team Agreements), pp. 16-19.
2. Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition. Section 9.3 (Develop Team), pp. 336-342; Section 9.1.3.2 (Team Charter), p. 319.
3. Project Management Institute. (2017). Agile Practice Guide. Section 4.2.1 (Agile Teams - Generalizing Specialists and Mentoring), pp. 39-40.

References

- PMI

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)

6th ed.

Section 9.1.3.2

“Team Charter

” p. 319.

- PMI

PMBOK® Guide

6th ed.

Section 9.4

“Develop Team

” p. 336; Section 9.4.2.6

“Training

” p. 342.

- PMI

PMBOK® Guide

7th ed.

Section 2.2

“Team Performance Domain

” especially team culture and team agreements

pp. 16–23.

- PMI & Agile Alliance

Agile Practice Guide

Section 5.1.1

“Team Charter

” p. 50; servant leadership/coaching concepts

pp. 33–34.

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