CPL Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Strategies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A program manager must communicate a significant scope reduction to stakeholders who had high expectations. What communication approach is most effective?
- Send a brief email and avoid follow-up questions
- Present the change in a formal meeting, explain rationale, and invite discussion (Correct answer)
- Delegate the communication to component project managers
- Announce it only to the sponsor and let information cascade informally
Correct answer: Present the change in a formal meeting, explain rationale, and invite discussion
Significant changes warrant a formal meeting where rationale is explained and stakeholders can ask questions to maintain trust.
Question 2: In a program with geographically dispersed stakeholders across multiple time zones, what is the primary challenge for communications planning?
- Selecting the correct project management methodology
- Ensuring equitable meeting times and accessible communication channels (Correct answer)
- Reducing the number of stakeholders involved
- Standardizing technical deliverables across sites
Correct answer: Ensuring equitable meeting times and accessible communication channels
Dispersed stakeholders require careful scheduling and channel selection to ensure inclusive and timely communication.
Question 3: Which stakeholder analysis tool helps a program manager visualize the relative power and interest of multiple stakeholder groups simultaneously?
- Work breakdown structure
- Power/interest grid (Correct answer)
- Risk probability matrix
- Responsibility assignment matrix
Correct answer: Power/interest grid
The power/interest grid maps stakeholders by influence and engagement level to guide appropriate communication strategies.
Question 4: A stakeholder who previously supported the program suddenly becomes resistant. What should the program manager do first?
- Remove the stakeholder from the program committee
- Escalate the resistance to senior leadership immediately
- Schedule a one-on-one meeting to understand the root cause of the change (Correct answer)
- Continue the program without addressing the resistance
Correct answer: Schedule a one-on-one meeting to understand the root cause of the change
A direct conversation helps uncover the root cause of resistance before escalating or taking corrective action.
Question 5: Which element of a communications management plan defines who approves messages before they are distributed to stakeholders?
- Communication frequency
- Distribution list
- Communication approval authority (Correct answer)
- Message format template
Correct answer: Communication approval authority
The communication approval authority section identifies who must review and authorize messages prior to distribution.
Question 6: During a benefits realization review, a key stakeholder argues the program has not delivered expected value. How should the program manager respond?
- Defend the program's outputs without analysis
- Reference the benefits realization plan and compare actual vs. planned benefits (Correct answer)
- Blame component project teams for underperformance
- Immediately initiate a program closure
Correct answer: Reference the benefits realization plan and compare actual vs. planned benefits
Referencing the benefits realization plan provides an objective, pre-agreed basis for evaluating and discussing actual benefit delivery.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a stakeholder engagement assessment matrix in program management?
- To assign tasks to stakeholders
- To compare current vs. desired stakeholder engagement levels (Correct answer)
- To document stakeholder communication preferences
- To record stakeholder attendance at meetings
Correct answer: To compare current vs. desired stakeholder engagement levels
The stakeholder engagement assessment matrix tracks the gap between current and desired engagement to guide improvement efforts.
CPL Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Strategies 3
A program manager must communicate a significant scope reduction to stakeholders who had high expectations.
What communication approach is most effective?