A project is ready to begin and resources have been assigned. The development manager then informs the project manager that a key resource is unavailable due to a family emergency and that all other developers are assigned to other projects with no extra capacity. What should the project manager do next to address the resource gap?

The project manager's immediate next step is to determine resource allocation options based on project priority. This involves assessing the impact of the missing resource and exploring internal solutions, such as reassigning tasks, adjusting the project scope, or identifying alternative resources within the organization, before escalating. Changing current resource assignments without exploring options or consulting the development manager is premature and could disrupt other projects. Meeting with the sponsor to discuss rebaselining or informing the sponsor and requesting an extension are escalation steps that should only occur after the project manager has thoroughly explored and exhausted internal resolution options.