Bootstrap Communication & Stakeholder Relations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of communication barrier most commonly arises in cross-functional project teams?
- Physical distance
- Jargon and terminology differences between departments (Correct answer)
- Lack of meeting rooms
- Different time zones only
Correct answer: Jargon and terminology differences between departments
Departmental jargon creates misunderstanding when team members come from different functional backgrounds.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a RACI matrix in stakeholder communication?
- To track bug resolution timelines
- To clarify who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each task (Correct answer)
- To schedule recurring stakeholder meetings
- To prioritize the product backlog
Correct answer: To clarify who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each task
A RACI matrix eliminates ambiguity about decision-making authority and communication obligations.
Question 3: A remote stakeholder consistently misses video calls. What is the most effective adaptation?
- Remove them from future calls
- Send pre-recorded video updates and async check-ins that fit their schedule (Correct answer)
- Escalate to their manager
- Continue scheduling calls at the same time
Correct answer: Send pre-recorded video updates and async check-ins that fit their schedule
Async communication formats accommodate stakeholders who cannot attend synchronous meetings regularly.
Question 4: During requirements gathering, a stakeholder keeps changing their stated needs. What is the best project management response?
- Lock requirements immediately and refuse further changes
- Document each change with a formal change request process to evaluate impact (Correct answer)
- Accept all changes without documentation to maintain goodwill
- Replace the stakeholder with someone more decisive
Correct answer: Document each change with a formal change request process to evaluate impact
A change request process captures evolving needs while protecting project scope and timeline.
Question 5: What is the main goal of a communication management plan?
- To define the project's budget for communication tools
- To specify what information will be shared, with whom, through which channels, and how frequently (Correct answer)
- To list all team members' contact information
- To document historical project communications
Correct answer: To specify what information will be shared, with whom, through which channels, and how frequently
A communication management plan ensures all stakeholders receive the right information at the right time through appropriate channels.
Question 6: A project manager notices two stakeholders have conflicting expectations about a deliverable. What should they do first?
- Choose the more senior stakeholder's expectation
- Facilitate a joint meeting to surface and align on a shared understanding (Correct answer)
- Ignore the conflict and let the team decide
- Escalate immediately to the project sponsor
Correct answer: Facilitate a joint meeting to surface and align on a shared understanding
Bringing conflicting stakeholders together early prevents costly misalignment later in the project.
Question 7: What is 'information radiator' in Agile communication practice?
- A heat map of team workload
- A highly visible, real-time display of project status accessible to all stakeholders (Correct answer)
- An automated email reporting system
- A document shared at sprint retrospectives
Correct answer: A highly visible, real-time display of project status accessible to all stakeholders
Information radiators like Kanban boards provide transparency by making project status visible to anyone without asking.
Bootstrap Communication & Stakeholder Relations 3
Which type of communication barrier most commonly arises in cross-functional project teams?