Using an agile approach to launch a product, the team encounters an unfamiliar technical problem in the second sprint. What should the project manager do?

The project manager's role in an agile environment is to facilitate the team's work and remove impediments. When an unfamiliar technical problem arises, facilitating a problem-solving session empowers the team to collaboratively analyze the issue, brainstorm solutions, and determine the best path forward. This aligns with agile principles of self-organizing teams and continuous improvement. Organizing an early retrospective is premature; retrospectives are typically held at the end of a sprint to reflect on processes, not to solve an immediate technical problem. Asking the product owner to write specifications is incorrect because the product owner defines what needs to be built, not how to solve a technical implementation problem. Informing the project sponsor is an escalation that should only occur if the team cannot resolve the issue or if it significantly impacts scope, schedule, or budget, which isn't indicated here.