Change Management Communication & Stakeholder Relations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project manager notices that a key stakeholder has stopped attending change update meetings. What is the BEST first step?
- Remove them from the stakeholder register
- Schedule a one-on-one conversation to understand their concerns (Correct answer)
- Send written updates only going forward
- Escalate to senior leadership immediately
Correct answer: Schedule a one-on-one conversation to understand their concerns
A private conversation helps uncover disengagement reasons before assuming the worst or escalating prematurely.
Question 2: Which communication channel is MOST appropriate for delivering sensitive layoff-related change news to employees?
- Mass email blast
- Company intranet post
- In-person or live virtual town hall with Q&A (Correct answer)
- Automated chatbot announcement
Correct answer: In-person or live virtual town hall with Q&A
Sensitive news requires a two-way, human channel that allows employees to ask questions and feel heard.
Question 3: What does a stakeholder influence/interest grid primarily help change managers determine?
- The budget allocation per stakeholder
- How to prioritize communication and engagement strategies (Correct answer)
- Which stakeholders should be removed from the project
- The technical skills needed on the change team
Correct answer: How to prioritize communication and engagement strategies
The grid maps stakeholders by their power and interest levels, guiding how much time and effort to invest in each.
Question 4: A change communication plan should ALWAYS include which of the following?
- A list of stakeholders to exclude from updates
- Key messages, audiences, timing, channels, and senders (Correct answer)
- Only executive-level talking points
- A glossary of technical terms
Correct answer: Key messages, audiences, timing, channels, and senders
A complete communication plan defines who says what, to whom, when, and through which channel.
Question 5: During a merger, employees in the acquired company feel uninformed and anxious. Which change management principle addresses this MOST directly?
- Reducing headcount quickly
- Increasing the frequency and transparency of communication (Correct answer)
- Limiting communication until decisions are final
- Delegating all messaging to HR
Correct answer: Increasing the frequency and transparency of communication
Frequent, honest communication reduces uncertainty and builds trust during high-anxiety change events.
Question 6: Which stakeholder group typically requires the MOST tailored communication during an IT system change rollout?
- Senior executives who approved the budget
- End users who will operate the new system daily (Correct answer)
- External auditors reviewing compliance
- Vendors who supplied the software
Correct answer: End users who will operate the new system daily
End users need role-specific, practical communication about how the change affects their daily workflows.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a 'feedback loop' in change communication?
- To evaluate the change manager's performance
- To allow stakeholders to respond and signal if communication is landing effectively (Correct answer)
- To track how many emails were opened
- To document lessons learned after the project
Correct answer: To allow stakeholders to respond and signal if communication is landing effectively
A feedback loop lets the change team adjust messaging based on whether stakeholders are understanding and accepting the change.
Change Management Communication & Stakeholder Relations 2
A project manager notices that a key stakeholder has stopped attending change update meetings.
What is the BEST first step?