You are managing a government contract project following a predictive approach with strict scope, schedule, and budget constraints. During month 4 of the 12-month project, a key team member who holds critical institutional knowledge about legacy systems unexpectedly resigns. This team member was responsible for integrating the new system with three legacy platforms, and replacement hiring could take 6-8 weeks due to security clearance requirements. The integration work is scheduled to begin in 3 weeks. Your team suggests aggressively cross-training other members, but this would require pulling resources from their current critical path activities. What should you prioritize first?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A. Option A is correct because it prioritizes immediate knowledge capture while the team member is still available, which is a critical and time-sensitive action that enables informed decision-making about subsequent steps (ECO People Task 2.3). This approach provides the foundation for assessing realistic options and prevents irreversible knowledge loss. Option C appears attractive but is incorrect as the primary action because it assumes the departing employee is willing and available for consulting, creates potential legal and procurement complications in a government contract, and doesn't address the underlying knowledge transfer need. Options B and D may become necessary, but premature commitment without first capturing knowledge and assessing redistribution possibilities could lead to unnecessary delays or resource waste.

PMP Practice Question: People — Predictive, Hard

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