In an agile project, addressing tasks that are behind schedule requires a collaborative and supportive approach. The best action for the project manager (PM) in this scenario is:

D. Work with the relevant team members to review the delayed tasks and decide on strategies for resolution.

Here’s why this option is the most appropriate:

1. Collaborative Problem Solving:
   • Agile methodologies emphasize collaboration and teamwork. Working together with the team members who are behind schedule allows the PM to understand the root causes of the delays and develop effective strategies to get back on track. This aligns with agile principles of transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
2. Root Cause Analysis:
   • By reviewing the delayed tasks with the team members, the PM can help identify any obstacles or challenges that are causing the delays. This might include technical issues, resource constraints, or unclear requirements. Addressing these root causes can help prevent future delays and improve overall project performance.
3. Empowering the Team:
   • Agile practices focus on empowering teams to self-manage and find solutions to their problems. Working directly with the team members to develop a resolution strategy supports this empowerment and fosters a sense of ownership and accountability.
4. Avoiding Escalation Without Cause:
   • Escalating the issue to the project sponsor (as suggested in option B) should be a last resort after internal team efforts have been exhausted. Agile projects rely on the team to resolve issues at the lowest possible level to maintain efficiency and agility.
5. Avoiding Blame Culture:
   • Options A and C, which involve notifying the team members of the need to complete tasks quickly or asking them to explain delays, can create a blame culture. This can be demotivating and counterproductive. Agile emphasizes a blameless environment where the focus is on solving problems rather than assigning blame.