Project Management Professional (PMP) — Question 526

A project manager meets with external stakeholders to explain the objectives and outline expectations for a new project. A key stakeholder appears to support the project, with the condition that other unrelated projects will receive financial support. Due to cultural sensitivities, the project manager is reluctant to be direct with the key stakeholder on this matter. The project cannot proceed without the support of this stakeholder.
What should the project manager do?

Answer options

• A. Proceed with the project without allowing scope creep to occur
• B. Use the contingency funds to provide support for the requested projects
• C. Cancel the project since the stakeholder's request is out of scope
• D. Inform the sponsor and document the request in the stakeholder engagement plan

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is D because the project manager should ensure that all stakeholder requests are documented and communicated to the sponsor for transparency and future reference. Option A is incorrect because proceeding without addressing the stakeholder's request could lead to issues down the line. Option B is not appropriate as it involves using funds in a way that may not align with the project's objectives. Option C is not viable since canceling the project does not address how to manage stakeholder relationships effectively.