PMBOK Stakeholder Engagement Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project manager discovers a previously unidentified stakeholder group midway through execution. What is the FIRST action to take?
- Ignore them since the project is already underway
- Add them to the stakeholder register and assess their influence and interest (Correct answer)
- Immediately escalate to the project sponsor
- Revise the project charter to include the new group
Correct answer: Add them to the stakeholder register and assess their influence and interest
Newly identified stakeholders must be added to the stakeholder register and analyzed for their power, interest, and impact on the project.
Question 2: Which stakeholder engagement level describes a stakeholder who is aware of the project and its potential impacts but neither supports nor opposes it?
- Unaware
- Resistant
- Neutral (Correct answer)
- Supportive
Correct answer: Neutral
A neutral stakeholder is aware of the project but has not taken a position of support or resistance.
Question 3: The Stakeholder Engagement Assessment Matrix compares which two states for each stakeholder?
- Current engagement level and desired engagement level (Correct answer)
- Power level and interest level
- Communication frequency and communication method
- Risk tolerance and issue severity
Correct answer: Current engagement level and desired engagement level
The matrix plots the current (C) and desired (D) engagement levels to identify gaps that need to be closed.
Question 4: A key stakeholder consistently misses scheduled meetings and does not respond to emails. Which strategy BEST addresses this situation?
- Remove them from the stakeholder register
- Escalate to their manager without warning
- Identify their preferred communication channel and adjust engagement accordingly (Correct answer)
- Reduce their involvement to avoid project delays
Correct answer: Identify their preferred communication channel and adjust engagement accordingly
Adapting communication methods and channels to stakeholder preferences increases the likelihood of meaningful engagement.
Question 5: Which PMBOK process group contains the Manage Stakeholder Engagement process?
- Planning
- Initiating
- Executing (Correct answer)
- Monitoring and Controlling
Correct answer: Executing
Manage Stakeholder Engagement is an Executing process focused on working with stakeholders to meet their needs and address issues.
Question 6: A project manager uses tailored communication because different stakeholders have varying levels of technical knowledge. This approach reflects which principle?
- Gold plating
- Stakeholder salience
- Communication tailoring (Correct answer)
- Scope creep prevention
Correct answer: Communication tailoring
Communication tailoring adapts the content, format, and detail level of messages to suit the audience's background and needs.
Question 7: During stakeholder analysis, a stakeholder is identified as having HIGH power but LOW interest. The BEST engagement strategy is to:
- Manage closely with frequent detailed updates
- Keep informed with minimal effort
- Keep satisfied with appropriate information without overwhelming them (Correct answer)
- Monitor with minimal interaction
Correct answer: Keep satisfied with appropriate information without overwhelming them
High-power, low-interest stakeholders should be kept satisfied to prevent them from becoming obstacles if their interest increases.
PMBOK Stakeholder Engagement Strategies 2
A project manager discovers a previously unidentified stakeholder group midway through execution.
What is the FIRST action to take?