Stakeholder Relationship Management

Correct Answer: Educate the stakeholder about the project scope and objectives and detail how suggested changes do not align

As a project manager, the best way to handle a stakeholder who is constantly suggesting changes that are not aligned with the project scope is to educate them about the project scope and objectives and explain how their suggested changes do not align. The goal is to maintain project stability and focus while acknowledging stakeholder involvement. This approach facilitates understanding and alignment of expectations without conflict. The other responses could either avoid the problem or create unnecessary tension. Ignoring the stakeholder's suggestions or arguing with them won't resolve the issue and might lead to a negative atmosphere in the project. Threatening to report the stakeholder's non-conformance to upper management may lead to mistrust and potentially could damage professional relationships. Hence, direct communication and education about the project scope and objectives serves as the best approach.

Correct Answer: Keep them satisfied with regular updates

The best approach to manage a stakeholder with high power but low interest is to keep them satisfied with regular updates. This strategy aligns with the power-interest grid model in stakeholder management. High power stakeholders have significant influence over the project, but their low interest means they may not want to be heavily involved in day-to-day operations. Regular updates keep them informed and satisfied, maintaining their support without overwhelming them with unnecessary details. Engaging them intensively in all project decisions and meetings would be excessive given their low interest and could potentially frustrate them. Monitoring their involvement and providing minimal information is not appropriate for high-power stakeholders, as it risks alienating them and potentially losing their support. Delegating most communication tasks to team members is not advisable for high-power stakeholders, as it may diminish the perceived importance of their role and could lead to miscommunication.

Correct Answer: Address the issue, providing suggestions and solutions to help meet deadlines whilst maintaining quality

The best course of action to take as a project manager when a stakeholder is consistently failing to meet their deadlines, based on the Certified Associate in Project Management course, would be to address the issue, providing suggestions and solutions to help meet deadlines whilst maintaining quality. This approach fosters open communication, allows for constructive feedback, and potentially provides an opportunity for both parties to find a solution that benefits the project. 'Reassign all graphic design tasks to other team members without any communication' is not a good procedure, as it doesn't deal with the stakeholder's underperformance; instead, it only shifts the problem to another part of the project. 'Ignoring the problem and hoping it resolves itself' is not proactive and does nothing to mitigate the risk to the project's schedules. Reporting the stakeholder to senior management without any attempt at resolving the issue is not in the spirit of stakeholder management. Trying to understand and help the stakeholder should be the first course of action.