Although the team member was absent, they possess expert knowledge that may impact project outcomes. The appropriate course of action is to schedule a meeting to hear their concerns and determine whether any adjustments are necessary. This aligns with stakeholder engagement best practices and the PMBOK Guide's principle of team collaboration and empowerment. Option A discourages engagement and feedback. Option C focuses on compliance rather than collaboration. Option D misclassifies this situation as a risk when it is a communication and engagement issue. References: PMBOK Guide - Seventh Edition, Stakeholder Engagement and Team Performance Domains Agile Practice Guide, Chapter 4: Team Collaboration and Feedback -