Execution & Stakeholder Engagement

During execution, a deliverable fails acceptance testing because it does not meet a documented requirement. What should the project manager do FIRST?

• A Re-deliver the same work and hope it passes
• B Escalate to the sponsor for a waiver
• C Submit a change request to alter the requirement
• D Perform root cause analysis to determine why the deliverable failed ✓

Answer: The first step is to perform root cause analysis to understand why the deliverable failed before deciding on corrective action. Acting without diagnosis risks repeating the defect.

A project manager creates a document that categorizes stakeholders by their level of power and interest to plan engagement. This tool is a:

• A Resource histogram
• B RACI chart
• C Power/interest grid ✓
• D Risk breakdown structure

Answer: A power/interest grid (a stakeholder mapping technique) classifies stakeholders by their authority and concern to tailor engagement strategies. It helps prioritize communication effort.

Midway through a project, the project manager discovers a key stakeholder was not identified during planning and now has significant concerns. What should the project manager do?

• A Add the stakeholder to the stakeholder register and develop an engagement approach ✓
• B Wait until the next phase to engage the stakeholder
• C Continue as planned since planning is complete
• D Ask the sponsor to remove the stakeholder from the project

Answer: Stakeholder identification is iterative; the newly found stakeholder should be registered and an engagement strategy developed to address their concerns. Ignoring them increases project risk.

A project manager uses a RACI chart to clarify roles. What does the 'A' in RACI represent?

• A Anyone kept up to date on progress
• B The person who performs the work
• C Anyone who provides input or expertise
• D The single person ultimately answerable for the deliverable ✓

Answer: In a RACI chart, 'A' (Accountable) is the single individual ultimately answerable for the work, and there should be only one per activity. 'R' (Responsible) is the person who performs the work.

A stakeholder complains they are not receiving the information they need. Which document should the project manager review FIRST?

• A The communications management plan ✓
• B The procurement documents
• C The quality metrics
• D The risk register

Answer: The communications management plan defines what information each stakeholder needs and how it is delivered, so it should be reviewed and updated first. This realigns communication with stakeholder requirements.

To keep stakeholders informed, a project manager sets up a self-service portal where stakeholders retrieve information as needed. This is an example of which communication method?

• A Paralingual communication
• B Interactive communication
• C Push communication
• D Pull communication ✓

Answer: Pull communication places information in a central location for stakeholders to access at their discretion. It suits large audiences and large volumes of information.