TOPIC: Free PMP® Exam Sample Question of the Week

Hello everyone! Here is this week's free PMP® exam sample question from the PM Exam Simulator.

A project manager is in the execution stage of a corporate restructuring project. The nature of the project is such that the job responsibilities of many key stakeholders are being disrupted, which has caused challenges with keeping the stakeholders engaged in a positive manner. Which of the following actions is the project manager least likely to perform in this situation?

A. Manage stakeholder expectations through negotiation and communication
B. Develop approaches to involve stakeholders based on their needs, expectations, interests, and potential impact on the project
C. Address any risks or potential concerns related to stakeholder management and anticipate future issues that may be raised by stakeholders
D. Engage stakeholders at appropriate project stages to obtain, confirm, or maintain their continued commitment to the success of the project

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HINT: Which activity would be performed as part of project planning rather than execution?

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Answer and Explanation:
The correct answer is B.

The question implies that the project manager is implementing the stakeholder engagement plan which suggests that the Manage Stakeholder Engagement process is being carried out as part of project execution. The development of approaches to involve stakeholders based on their needs, expectations, interests and potential impact on the project describes the development of the stakeholder engagement plan which is performed during project planning rather than project execution. Note, the question is asking for the activity which is 'least' likely to be performed in this situation. Therefore, of the available choices, the project manager is 'least' likely to be developing the stakeholder management plan in this scenario.

Details for Each Option:

A. Manage stakeholder expectations through negotiation and communication
Incorrect. A corporate restructuring project is a very sensitive project which will require considerable care in managing stakeholder engagement. It will be critical in this scenario to manage stakeholder expectations through negotiation and communication.

B. Develop approaches to involve stakeholders based on their needs, expectations, interests, and potential impact on the project
Correct. The question states that the project is in the execution stage. This answer choice describes the development of the stakeholder engagement plan which is performed during project planning. Hence, the project manager would not be developing the stakeholder management plan in this scenario, making this answer choice the 'least' likely activity to be performed in this scenario and, therefore, the best answer to the question asked.

C. Address any risks or potential concerns related to stakeholder management and anticipate future issues that may be raised by stakeholders
Incorrect. Risks and concerns related to stakeholder engagement will be inherent in a corporate restructuring project. It will be vital to the success of the project that the project manager address these risks and concerns as well as anticipate future issues that may be raised by stakeholders.

D. Engage stakeholders at appropriate project stages to obtain, confirm, or maintain their continued commitment to the success of the project
Incorrect. As anyone that has experienced an organizational restructuring is aware, obtaining and maintaining the commitment of those affected by the restructuring to the success of the project will be challenging, especially as some stakeholders may be negatively impacted. It will be critical for the project manager to engage the stakeholders when appropriate to at least minimize resistance if not gain support for the project.

Reference: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 516, 524