Before taking action or implementing changes, the project manager should investigate the root cause of the issue. Evaluating the context means engaging the development team to understand delays, roadblocks, or miscommunication. This aligns with conflict resolution best practices, which recommend first gathering facts and context before responding. The PMBOK Guide - Seventh Edition emphasizes systems thinking, servant leadership, and collaborative problem-solving. This approach ensures fair assessment and avoids premature assumptions. Option A is a decision that may bypass due diligence. Option B is speculative and dismissive of current concern. Option C might be appropriate after analysis but is premature. References: PMBOK Guide - Seventh Edition, Team and Delivery Performance Domains PMBOK Guide - Sixth Edition, Section 9.5: Conflict Resolution and Team Management