What Is an Impediment?
An impediment is an obstacle that prevents the team from achieving its objectives. It is also known as a blocker. Impediments slow or stop progress and need to be surfaced and removed quickly.
In Practice
Impediments range from technical dependencies and unclear requirements to missing access, organizational bottlenecks or distractions. Teams make them visible — often on the task board or in the daily coordination meeting — so they can be resolved. Removing impediments is a core responsibility of servant leaders such as the Scrum Master or project manager.
PMBOK 8 Context
Managing impediments supports the Team and Project Work performance domains of the PMBOK Guide, 8th Edition. It reflects the principle of enabling the team and fostering a healthy delivery environment.
FAQ
Impediment vs. risk? A risk is a potential future event; an impediment is a present obstacle already affecting the team.
Who removes impediments? Anyone who can — but servant leaders take explicit accountability for clearing those the team cannot resolve alone.
Author: Tom, PMP-certified since 2004. Last updated: July 2026. Aligned with the PMBOK Guide, 8th Edition.