TOPIC: Free PMP® Exam Sample Question

Not all team members are properly checking out resources used in the project.

What is the best option for the project manager?

A. Wait until there is a need or the team is impacted
B. Escalate the issue to the functional managers
C. Discuss the checkout rationale with the team
D. Remove the process of checking out resources

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HINT: Do the team members understand why the policy is in place?

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Answer and Explanation:
The correct answer is C.

There is not enough information in the question to determine what resources exactly the scenario is talking about, and what does this checkout procedure mean.
Prospective PMP aspirants have to keep in mind that questions on the real PMP exam may be short and vague. This question is a good example of what you may encounter on your exam.

Regardless of how ambiguous the scenario is, always try to select the best answer to the question asked even if none of the choices looks like a perfect/ideal answer.

During the Direct and Manage Project Work process, the project manager is guiding, directing, and facilitating the plans of the project. Based on the scenario, it appears that the plans require the resources to be checked out. Those plans need to be better communicated and understood.

There are many actions the project manager could take to direct and manage the project team to follow through with those plans. The answer choice that best aligns to that need is to discuss the purpose and rationale for the resource checkout and why the team should follow those plans.

Details for each option:

A. Incorrect. Waiting for an issue to occur before taking action when a resolution or preventive action is available puts the project at unnecessary risk.

B. Incorrect. Escalating the issue to the functional managers is a premature action. It is the responsibility of the project manager to address the issue first. Only if this response does not result in the desired outcome, escalation would be a possibility. Regardless, there is not enough information in the scenario to determine if the organization operates in a functional structure, warranting the escalation (if and when appropriate).

C. Correct. The project team may not all understand the importance or the reasons for the check out procedure. Explaining the rationale and getting the team's feedback increases team buy-in and gives direction.

D. Incorrect. There is a project reason for checking out of resources. Removing the process because some are not following the procedure may cause more issues.

Reference: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 90-92