Stakeholder Engagement

• Topic 01

  Stakeholder Identification and Analysis

  15 questions
• Topic 02

  Stakeholder Engagement Planning

  15 questions
• Topic 03

  Communication Strategies and Channels

  15 questions
• Topic 04

  Negotiation Principles and Techniques

  15 questions
• Topic 05

  Managing Stakeholder Expectations

  15 questions
• Topic 06

  Collaborative Decision Making

  15 questions
• Topic 07

  Engaging Virtual and Distributed Teams

  15 questions
• Topic 08

  Influencing Without Authority

  15 questions

A few questions from this unit, with the answer and a full explanation. The complete bank is available when you start practising.

1. A project manager is presenting the Stakeholder Engagement Plan at a phase gate review. Two board members challenge the plan: the first argues that 'Unaware' stakeholders pose no immediate risk; the second argues the plan should be shared with all stakeholders to demonstrate transparency. How should the project manager respond to both challenges?

   • A
     Unaware stakeholders can become resistant once informed and must be proactively engaged; the plan should remain restricted because its candid assessments could damage trust with the assessed stakeholders
     Correct answer
   • B
     Unaware stakeholders are the highest priority because they have the most to learn; the plan should be shared to demonstrate the project's commitment to openness
   • C
     Unaware stakeholders are not a risk because they cannot influence the project without first becoming aware; the plan should be shared once engagement levels are positive
   • D
     Unaware stakeholders are low priority until they become resistant; the plan should be shared selectively with stakeholders rated as Supportive or Leading
   Explanation

   PMI guidance identifies Unaware stakeholders as a proactive risk management priority: once they learn of the project, they may become resistant if not properly prepared. Waiting until they are resistant removes the PM's ability to manage the transition. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan is classified as sensitive because it contains candid assessments (e.g., 'resistant, self-interested') that would damage relationships if shared with the assessed stakeholders. Openness does not require sharing internal assessment documents — transparency is served through appropriate communications, not by distributing internal strategy documents.

2. A project manager needs three additional developers from a functional manager who is reluctant to release them. Which negotiation approach does PMI most strongly recommend for this type of internal resource negotiation?

   • A
     Integrative (interest-based) negotiation, focusing on shared organisational goals and mutual benefits
     Correct answer
   • B
     Avoidance, by redesigning the project plan to eliminate the need for the developers
   • C
     Competitive negotiation, leveraging the project manager's authority over project priorities
   • D
     Compromise negotiation, agreeing to accept one developer in exchange for dropping other resource requests
   Explanation

   PMI strongly prefers integrative (interest-based) negotiation for most project contexts, especially internal resource negotiations where the working relationship must be preserved. Integrative negotiation focuses on understanding both parties' underlying interests rather than fixed positions, and seeks solutions that create value for both sides. Distributive negotiation is appropriate only when the relationship is unimportant and the interaction is one-time. Escalation is appropriate only after other options are exhausted.

3. A project manager is using the stakeholder engagement assessment matrix and marks a stakeholder with 'C' at Neutral and 'D' at Supportive. A team member asks what the gap between C and D represents. What is the correct explanation?

   • A
     The gap between C and D represents the amount of budget required to increase engagement from the current level to the desired level
   • B
     The gap between C and D represents a risk that must be added to the risk register as a probability and impact entry
   • C
     The gap between C and D represents the engagement difference the project manager must close through deliberate engagement strategies
     Correct answer
   • D
     The gap between C and D represents the stakeholder's communication requirements that must be added to the communications plan
   Explanation

   In the stakeholder engagement assessment matrix, 'C' marks where a stakeholder currently is on the engagement scale (Unaware, Resistant, Neutral, Supportive, Leading) and 'D' marks where they need to be for project success. The gap defines what the engagement strategy must accomplish — a larger gap typically requires more intensive or creative engagement tactics. The gap is not a communication requirement, a risk entry, a role gap, or a budget item.