In a functional organization, the project manager is told the purchasing department's other priorities are delaying service procurements. What should the project manager do?

In a functional organization, project managers have limited authority. When facing delays from a functional department like purchasing, the most effective first step is to collaborate. Meeting with the purchasing manager directly allows the project manager to understand the root cause of the delays (e.g., resource constraints, conflicting priorities) and negotiate a realistic procurement schedule that aligns with project needs. This proactive communication fosters cooperation and problem-solving. Asking the project team to work on other tasks is a temporary workaround that doesn't resolve the underlying issue and could lead to further delays. Requesting outsourcing is an extreme measure that bypasses internal processes and may not be feasible or cost-effective. Adjusting the project schedule without understanding the cause or attempting to resolve it is a reactive approach that accepts the delay rather than addressing it.