Project Management Stakeholder Engagement and Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project manager notices that a key stakeholder has stopped attending status meetings and is not responding to emails. What should the PM do first?
- Escalate to the sponsor immediately
- Schedule a one-on-one meeting to understand their concerns (Correct answer)
- Remove them from the distribution list
- Proceed without their input
Correct answer: Schedule a one-on-one meeting to understand their concerns
A direct conversation helps uncover the root cause of disengagement before escalating.
Question 2: Which tool is MOST useful for determining how much communication effort to direct toward each stakeholder?
- Risk register
- Stakeholder engagement assessment matrix (Correct answer)
- Project charter
- Work breakdown structure
Correct answer: Stakeholder engagement assessment matrix
The stakeholder engagement assessment matrix maps current vs. desired engagement levels to guide communication effort.
Question 3: A stakeholder has high influence but low interest in the project. The recommended communication strategy is to:
- Manage closely with frequent updates
- Keep informed with detailed reports
- Keep satisfied with targeted, minimal communication (Correct answer)
- Monitor with minimal engagement
Correct answer: Keep satisfied with targeted, minimal communication
High-influence, low-interest stakeholders should be kept satisfied without overwhelming them with unnecessary detail.
Question 4: During project execution, a new regulatory body is identified that can block project approval. What is the BEST immediate action?
- Add them to the stakeholder register and develop an engagement plan (Correct answer)
- Ignore them until they formally object
- Notify the project team only
- Submit a change request to extend the schedule
Correct answer: Add them to the stakeholder register and develop an engagement plan
Newly identified stakeholders should be documented and engaged proactively to prevent project disruptions.
Question 5: What does the term 'resistant' mean in the context of the stakeholder engagement assessment matrix?
- The stakeholder is unaware of the project
- The stakeholder is aware but opposed to the project's impact (Correct answer)
- The stakeholder is neutral about the project
- The stakeholder actively supports the project
Correct answer: The stakeholder is aware but opposed to the project's impact
A resistant stakeholder is aware of the project but opposes its changes or outcomes.
Question 6: A PM is preparing a communication plan. Which factor is LEAST important when selecting a communication method?
- Stakeholder preference
- Urgency of the information
- Project manager's personal preference (Correct answer)
- Sensitivity of the content
Correct answer: Project manager's personal preference
Communication methods should be chosen based on stakeholder needs and message characteristics, not the PM's personal preference.
Question 7: Which of the following BEST describes 'active listening' during stakeholder communications?
- Taking notes while the stakeholder speaks
- Asking clarifying questions and paraphrasing to confirm understanding (Correct answer)
- Nodding and maintaining eye contact only
- Waiting silently for the stakeholder to finish speaking
Correct answer: Asking clarifying questions and paraphrasing to confirm understanding
Active listening involves engaging with the speaker through clarification and paraphrasing to ensure accurate understanding.
Project Management Stakeholder Engagement and Communication 2
A project manager notices that a key stakeholder has stopped attending status meetings and is not responding to emails.
What should the PM do first?