Stakeholder, Communication, Leadership & Teamwork

What is the main benefit, to a project, of having a communication plan?

• AIt sets out the budget for communication activities, so that spending on events and newsletters is controlled
• BIt ensures the right information reaches the right people, at the right time, through the right channel, supporting engagement and decision-making✓
• CIt sets out the project's reporting lines and who holds authority to approve each type of decision
• DIt records each stakeholder's power and interest, so that the project manager can decide how closely each one should be managed through the project

Answer: A communication plan ensures relevant information reaches the right stakeholders at the right time through appropriate channels, supporting engagement, understanding and effective decision-making.

What is the relationship between stakeholder analysis and an effective communication management plan?

• AThey are separate activities: stakeholder analysis is a governance task for the sponsor, while communication planning is administrative work for the PMO
• BStakeholder analysis is carried out after the communication plan is finalised, to confirm that each message has reached its intended audience
• CThe communication plan identifies each stakeholder's power, interest and information needs, and these findings are then used to build the stakeholder analysis and engagement approach
• DStakeholder analysis identifies who needs what information and how much influence they have, which then shapes the content, frequency and channel choices in the communication plan✓

Answer: Stakeholder analysis reveals stakeholders' interests, influence and information needs, and this directly informs how the communication plan tailors content, frequency and channels for each group.