A department transformation project using a predictive approach is underway. Mid-project the manager discovers a deliverable cannot be produced because a required technical skill is missing. What should the project manager have done to avoid this?

The correct answer is to identify all required skills during the planning of the project. In a predictive project, thorough planning is crucial. Identifying required skills during this phase allows the project manager to assess current team capabilities, identify gaps, and plan for necessary training, recruitment, or outsourcing before these become critical issues. Asking the sponsor to identify all skills is insufficient, as the project manager is responsible for resource planning. Identifying skills after kick-off is too late, as the problem in the scenario demonstrates. Planning all training during onboarding is also insufficient, as skill identification must precede training planning to ensure the right training is provided.