PMP Practice Questions #138
As a project manager aware of the critical role mentoring plays in team development and project success, you face a dilemma with a high-potential team member in need of mentoring amid tight budget constraints. How do you reconcile the need for mentoring with budget limitations to ensure both immediate and long-term project success?
A) Postpone the mentoring program to focus on meeting current project milestones without straining the budget.
B) Utilize a cost-effective mentoring strategy by engaging willing stakeholders to mentor the team member.
C) Request additional funds for a detailed external mentoring program, emphasizing its long-term benefits for the team.
D) Recommend independent learning for the team member on project risk management, utilizing available resources within the existing budget.
Analysis:
The scenario presents a challenge of balancing the need for mentoring a high-potential team member with the constraints of a tight budget, underscoring the importance of finding innovative and effective ways to ensure both the immediate and long-term success of the project.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Postpone the mentoring program to focus on meeting current project milestones without straining the budget. It suggests prioritizing budgetary concerns over developmental needs. This approach might meet immediate project requirements but overlooks the long-term benefits of mentoring for team development and project success.
Option B: Utilize a cost-effective mentoring strategy by engaging willing stakeholders to mentor the team member. It leverages existing resources without additional financial burden, fostering growth and development while enhancing stakeholder engagement and trust.
Option C: Request additional funds for a detailed external mentoring program, emphasizing its long-term benefits for the team. This option focuses on securing resources for comprehensive mentorship but risks further budgetary constraints. While it emphasizes the long-term benefits of mentoring, it may not be feasible or justified under tight budget conditions.
Option D: Recommend independent learning for the team member on project risk management, utilizing available resources within the existing budget. This lacks the personalized guidance and experiential learning that mentoring provides. This option focuses more on knowledge acquisition (training) than on skill development through mentorship.
Conclusion: Option B is identified as the most effective approach. It creatively addresses the need for mentoring within budget limitations by engaging willing stakeholders as mentors. This strategy not only supports the team member’s development but also strengthens relationships within the project ecosystem, contributing to both immediate and long-term project success. It exemplifies a resourceful and strategic approach to overcoming challenges posed by budget constraints, making it the best choice among the presented options.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 13: Mentor relevant stakeholders |
Topics Covered
- Mentoring
- Cost Management
- Stakeholder Engagament
