PMI CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) Examination Content OutlineProject Management Fundamentals and Core ConceptsMedium
During the execution phase of a project, a project manager discovers that a key stakeholder, who was previously identified as having low influence, has recently been promoted and now holds significant decision-making power over project resources. What should the project manager do FIRST?
- AIgnore the change, as the project is already in execution.
- BCommunicate the change to the project team and continue with current plans.
- CUpdate the Stakeholder Register and re-evaluate the stakeholder's engagement strategy.
- DEscalate the issue to the project sponsor for guidance.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Update the Stakeholder Register and re-evaluate the stakeholder's engagement strategy.
The Stakeholder Register is a dynamic document that should be updated as stakeholder information changes. A significant change in a stakeholder's influence requires re-evaluating how to engage with them to ensure project success.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Ignoring such a significant change is detrimental to project success and violates good project management practices.
- B. Communicating to the team is important, but updating the formal document and strategy comes first to ensure proper management.
- D. Escalation may be needed later, but the immediate step is to document and reassess the stakeholder's impact.
Manage Stakeholder Engagement Process
The process of communicating and working with stakeholders to meet their needs/expectations, address issues, and foster appropriate stakeholder involvement.
- Requires continuous monitoring and adaptation.
- Stakeholder Register is a key input and is updated throughout.
- Engagement strategies must be flexible.
Memory trick: Register, Plan, Engage, Monitor, Adapt.