A project manager is managing a software development project. The team has completed 60% of the deliverables but is 20% behind schedule. The project sponsor is demanding to know the current status. What should the project manager do?

Correct answer: Provide a comprehensive status report including actual vs. planned performance and mitigation options

Option A is correct because transparent, timely communication is a core project management responsibility; a comprehensive status report that compares actual versus planned performance and presents mitigation options gives the sponsor the information needed to make informed decisions. Option B is wrong because simply reporting a completion percentage while continuing an already-failing schedule ignores the schedule variance and withholds the full picture from the sponsor. Option C is wrong because deferring reporting until the schedule recovers deceives the sponsor and eliminates the opportunity for early corrective action, violating PMI's Code of Ethics. Option D is wrong because adding resources without informing the sponsor is an unauthorized scope-or-cost change and bypasses the change control process required by the PMBOK Guide.