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?
Given the urgency of the project timeline and the recent resignations of two team members, the most effective solution is to acquire experienced additional resources from third-party suppliers. This approach allows the project to continue moving forward without significant delays, as external resources can typically be onboarded more quickly than new hires. It provides an immediate remedy to the sudden reduction in workforce, ensuring that the project remains on schedule and reducing the burden on the remaining team members.
It appears that the question does not provide information about the organization's preference regarding resource allocation or willingness to tolerate delays. Without clarity on these priorities, it is challenging to recommend a specific approach. The project manager should request clarification from stakeholders on whether they prioritize spending resources or are open to potential delays. This essential information will guide the decision-making process and enable the project manager to tailor recommendations based on the organization's preferences and constraints.
A. Acquire experienced additional resources from third-party suppliers. This approach can provide immediate support to the team, helping to mitigate the impact of the resignations on the project schedule. Leveraging external resources can assist in maintaining momentum, meeting deadlines, and ensuring that the project continues progressing without significant interruptions while the longer-term staffing solutions are explored. C is not ideal since but it typically takes time to find suitable candidates, conduct interviews, and onboard new team members. This option might not offer immediate relief to the pressing project timeline.
I go with D, By extending the project timeline with the sponsor's approval, it allows for a more realistic adjustment of the project timeline to accommodate the reduced workforce and avoid excessive stress on the remaining team members. This action helps in maintaining a more sustainable pace and ensures that the project remains feasible and of high quality despite the staffing challenges.
I cannot always change the scope as a first step. So in this question its about getting new staff members quickly. The question is: will they be internal or external. Hiring process is general: I would go with C
You are working on a very tight deadline and you lost two contributors to the project. Trying to hire resources from a third party does not guarantee you'll meet the deadline. An escalation and schedule delay should be first.
The current project pace is not maintainble. That is the core issue we need to address. The only way we can address this is not by replacing the lost resources but by slowing down the pace using a project extension.
D:Escalate to the project sponsor and seek approval for a schedule delay - Acquiring additional resources either from 3rd party of hiring would take time.
This is a similar question to previous question on ExamTopics. That question included the budget and schedule was tight, this include only budget and the rest of the question was same. As far as what i learn from PMBOK, never hire any additional resources, never speak or invole to sponsor(unless the project scope is affected or the team is not supporting the PM) or HR . Based on previous similar question, the answer was to re-allocate the work in the remaining team.so B is the right answer
A. Acquire experienced additional resources from third-party suppliers. Explanation: Acquiring experienced resources from third-party suppliers can quickly fill the gap left by the resignations and help maintain the project's schedule without causing significant delays.
option A Acquiring additional resources from third-party suppliers might be a quick fix, but it could also introduce new challenges, such as onboarding and integration with the existing team.
When key team members resign, it's crucial to address the situation promptly to minimize the impact on the project. Option C, acquiring replacements by initiating the hiring process immediately, is the most proactive approach. It allows the project manager to fill the vacant positions with qualified individuals as quickly as possible, helping to maintain the project schedule. Option D, escalating to the project sponsor for a schedule delay, should be considered only if acquiring replacements is not feasible within the current timeline. However, the preference is generally to address resource gaps promptly to avoid project delays.
C according to PMI code and conduct
Escalation is best option among all as any form of hiring will take time. Third party experienced resource hiring also cannot control schedule delay if you already see that members were working over time on project having tight schedule.