Resource Monitoring and Control

Correct Answer: Evaluate the issue and its potential impact on the project.

The first step in addressing an issue related to resource allocation should be to evaluate the issue and its potential impact on the project. This step is important to understand the nature, scope, and potential implications of the reported problem. Ignoring the issue, assuming it's not a high priority, is not advisable as any issue can escalate and result in project failure if not addressed timely and appropriately. Notifying senior management immediately is not always necessary unless the issue is beyond the project manager's control and requires high level intervention. Implementing a solution without discussing it with the team or stakeholders is wrong because it overrides the spirit of teamwork and effective communication in project management. Every decision, especially those impacting project resources and objectives, must be made in consultation with key stakeholders including the project team.

Correct Answer: Immediately contact the sub-contractor, discuss the issue, and develop a resolution plan.

The best course of action as a Project Manager when facing a critical project milestone that is behind schedule due to a non-responsive sub-contractor is to immediately contact the sub-contractor, discuss the issue, and develop a resolution plan. This approach is based on effective communication and problem-solving methods, which are key skills in project management. Termination of the subcontractor, as mentioned in one of the answers, should be the last resort and only after discussing the problem. Waiting for the subcontractor's response, as suggested in another answer, might lead to further delays. Hiring additional resources and removing the subcontractor's responsibility, suggested in the fourth answer, may not be feasible or budget-friendly, and could introduce new risks.

Correct Answer: Schedule a meeting with the team member to understand their workload and negotiate priorities.

The best approach is to schedule a meeting with the team member to understand their workload and negotiate priorities. This allows the project manager to gather more information about the team member's situation, discuss the impact on the project, and collaboratively find a solution that balances the team member's capacity with project needs. Assigning more tasks to the already struggling team member would likely exacerbate the issue and lead to further missed deadlines. Sending an email requesting immediate improvement without understanding the root cause of the problem is not an effective or supportive approach. Asking the team member to work longer hours may provide a short-term fix but could lead to burnout and decreased productivity in the long run. By having an open conversation and working together to prioritize and manage the workload, the project manager demonstrates leadership, supports the team member, and takes steps to keep the project on track.