Project Management Professional (PMP) — Question 544

During the planning stage of a project the project manager realizes that a standard stakeholder engagement approach will not suffice. One of the client representatives, who is not a key decision maker, is extremely opinionated. This client representative could become a roadblock to progress due to their perceived level of authority during meetings.
How should the project manager handle this moving forward?

Answer options

• A. Ask that only key decision makers attend the project meetings.
• B. Update the project schedule to cater to this particular stakeholder.
• C. Allocate time to gain buy-in from the stakeholder prior to key decision meetings.
• D. Update the risk register to consider the possible project impacts.

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is C because gaining buy-in from the stakeholder can help mitigate their influence and reduce the risk of them becoming a roadblock. Option A is not feasible as the project requires input from all stakeholders. Option B does not address the root issue of the stakeholder's influence, and option D only acknowledges the problem without taking proactive steps to resolve it.