CMC Stakeholder Management & Communication 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of stakeholder mapping in a management consulting engagement?
- To document project milestones and deliverable timelines
- To categorize stakeholders by their level of power/influence and interest in the project (Correct answer)
- To allocate consulting fees among client departments
- To create an organizational hierarchy chart for the client
Correct answer: To categorize stakeholders by their level of power/influence and interest in the project
Stakeholder mapping categorizes stakeholders by power/influence and interest to guide how consultants prioritize and tailor engagement with each group.
Question 2: In the power/interest matrix, which quadrant requires the strategy of 'manage closely'?
- Low power, high interest
- High power, low interest
- High power, high interest (Correct answer)
- Low power, low interest
Correct answer: High power, high interest
Stakeholders with high power and high interest require close management because they significantly influence outcomes and are deeply invested in the engagement.
Question 3: What does RACI stand for in project communication and responsibility frameworks?
- Respond, Authorize, Control, Implement
- Review, Assign, Coordinate, Integrate
- Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (Correct answer)
- Report, Approve, Communicate, Implement
Correct answer: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed
RACI defines four role types in project tasks: who is Responsible for doing the work, Accountable for outcomes, Consulted for input, and Informed of progress.
Question 4: Which communication approach is most appropriate for a 'keep satisfied' stakeholder (high power, low interest)?
- Daily detailed updates on all project activities
- Weekly project reports covering all work streams
- Targeted updates on key decisions that directly affect their area (Correct answer)
- Minimal communication unless critical problems arise
Correct answer: Targeted updates on key decisions that directly affect their area
High-power, low-interest stakeholders should receive targeted updates on decisions relevant to them to maintain their satisfaction without overwhelming them with operational details.
Question 5: A stakeholder register typically includes all of the following EXCEPT:
- Stakeholder contact information and organizational role
- Stakeholder influence and interest levels
- Preferred communication methods and frequency
- Stakeholder salary and personal compensation data (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Stakeholder salary and personal compensation data
A stakeholder register captures identification, interests, influence, communication preferences, and engagement strategies, but personal compensation data is irrelevant to managing stakeholder relationships.
Question 6: In consulting, who is typically defined as the 'ultimate client'?
- The department with the largest budget allocation for the engagement
- The department head who initially requested the consulting engagement
- The individual or group with final authority and accountability for the engagement's outcomes (Correct answer)
- The external regulatory body overseeing the client's industry
Correct answer: The individual or group with final authority and accountability for the engagement's outcomes
The 'ultimate client' is the person or group with final decision-making authority and accountability — they determine whether the engagement truly delivers value.
Question 7: When conflicting stakeholder interests are identified during an engagement, which approach best supports effective stakeholder management?
- Automatically prioritize the most senior stakeholder's position
- Conduct thorough needs assessments to understand underlying interests and seek common ground (Correct answer)
- Delay the engagement until all stakeholders reach full agreement
- Present a single recommendation and ignore minority stakeholder views
Correct answer: Conduct thorough needs assessments to understand underlying interests and seek common ground
Conducting needs assessments uncovers the underlying interests behind conflicting positions, enabling consultants to find integrative solutions that are acceptable to multiple parties.
CMC Stakeholder Management & Communication 1
What is the primary purpose of stakeholder mapping in a management consulting engagement?