Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlineProcessEasy
A project manager is leading a project to implement a new customer relationship management (CRM) system. During the execution phase, the team identifies that several key stakeholders are not actively participating in review meetings, leading to potential delays in feedback and approvals. What should the project manager do FIRST?
- AReview the communication management plan and stakeholder engagement plan.
- BEscalate the issue to the project sponsor for intervention.
- CRe-schedule the review meetings to accommodate the stakeholders' availability.
- DAssign a team member to individually follow up with each non-participating stakeholder.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Review the communication management plan and stakeholder engagement plan.
Before taking action, the project manager should consult existing plans to understand the agreed-upon strategies for communication and stakeholder engagement. This helps determine if current approaches are aligned with the plan or if the plan itself needs adjustment.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Escalation is a later step, usually after attempting to resolve the issue using established processes.
- C. Rescheduling might be necessary but should follow an assessment of the root cause, which starts with reviewing the plans.
- D. Individual follow-up is an action that might be part of an engagement strategy, but reviewing the plan first ensures a coordinated approach.
Stakeholder Engagement Plan Review
The process of examining the stakeholder engagement plan and communication management plan to ensure that current stakeholder interactions align with planned strategies and to identify any discrepancies or areas for improvement.
- Ensures alignment between planned and actual engagement.
- Helps identify root causes of engagement issues.
- Guides subsequent actions for improving stakeholder participation.
Memory trick: When stakeholders go quiet, check your map before you shout.