CME Communication & Stakeholder Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A manager must deliver negative performance feedback to a long-tenured employee. Which framework provides structured guidance for this conversation?
- SWOT Analysis
- SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) model (Correct answer)
- PESTLE framework
- BCG Matrix
Correct answer: SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) model
The SBI model focuses feedback on observable situations, specific behaviors, and their impact, keeping the conversation objective and constructive.
Question 2: Stakeholder mapping in a CME context primarily serves to:
- Determine the project budget allocation
- Identify and prioritize individuals or groups based on their influence and interest (Correct answer)
- Create an organizational chart for HR records
- Establish the project's critical path
Correct answer: Identify and prioritize individuals or groups based on their influence and interest
Stakeholder mapping categorizes stakeholders by power and interest so managers can tailor engagement strategies appropriately.
Question 3: When sending a critical update to a diverse group of stakeholders, a manager should FIRST consider:
- The length of the message to ensure brevity
- The audience's knowledge level, preferred channels, and need for information (Correct answer)
- Whether the update can be postponed to the next scheduled meeting
- The formatting and visual appeal of the document
Correct answer: The audience's knowledge level, preferred channels, and need for information
Effective communication begins with audience analysis to ensure the right message reaches the right people through the right channel.
Question 4: A manager who uses 'you-statements' (e.g., 'You always miss deadlines') in conflict discussions is most likely to:
- Encourage the other party to take ownership
- Trigger defensiveness and escalate the conflict (Correct answer)
- Resolve the issue quickly through directness
- Demonstrate assertive communication skills
Correct answer: Trigger defensiveness and escalate the conflict
You-statements assign blame and provoke defensive reactions, whereas I-statements focus on the speaker's experience and promote dialogue.
Question 5: The PRIMARY purpose of a RACI matrix in stakeholder management is to:
- Track project milestones and deadlines
- Clarify roles and decision-making authority across stakeholders (Correct answer)
- Measure stakeholder satisfaction levels
- Document communication preferences for each stakeholder
Correct answer: Clarify roles and decision-making authority across stakeholders
A RACI matrix assigns Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed roles, reducing ambiguity about who does what.
Question 6: Non-verbal communication accounts for what approximate percentage of face-to-face communication impact, according to Mehrabian's research?
- 7%
- 38%
- 55% (Correct answer)
- 93%
Correct answer: 55%
Mehrabian's study found that body language (55%) is the largest component of face-to-face communication impact, followed by tone (38%) and words (7%).
Question 7: Which technique is MOST appropriate when a manager needs to quickly gauge team sentiment without a formal survey?
- 360-degree feedback process
- Pulse check or temperature check during a team meeting (Correct answer)
- Annual performance review cycle
- External consultant engagement
Correct answer: Pulse check or temperature check during a team meeting
A quick pulse check in a meeting provides immediate, low-effort insight into team morale or alignment on a topic.
CME Communication & Stakeholder Management 3
A manager must deliver negative performance feedback to a long-tenured employee.
Which framework provides structured guidance for this conversation?