Communication Management Plan

Correct Answer: Based on the stakeholder engagement matrix and risk thresholds

The best frequency for updating stakeholders on schedule variances should be based on the stakeholder engagement matrix and risk thresholds. Here's why: The stakeholder engagement matrix identifies each stakeholder's level of interest, influence, and communication needs. Combined with risk thresholds, this provides a customized approach for communication frequency that matches: - The stakeholder's importance and requirements - The project's risk level and complexity - The magnitude of schedule variances Other options are problematic because: Automatic notifications from project software may not consider stakeholder needs or organizational context A predetermined weekly schedule is too rigid and may result in either over-communication or insufficient updates for critical variances Waiting for performance indices to exceed guidelines is reactive rather than proactive, and may result in delayed communication of important variances

Correct Answer: At each major phase gate and when significant changes occur

A Communication Management Plan's schedule milestones should be reviewed at each major phase gate and when significant changes occur, because: 1. Phase gates are natural checkpoints where project progress is evaluated 2. Significant changes may affect communication needs and stakeholder requirements 3. This approach ensures proactive communication management 4. It allows for timely adjustments to the communication strategy Other options are problematic because: Reviewing only during final stages is too late for effective communication management and misses opportunities for early intervention. Weekly and monthly fixed schedules may be too rigid and might not align with project needs - some phases may need more frequent reviews while others need less. Reviewing only at the beginning and completion of major deliverables misses important opportunities to adjust communication strategies during execution phases.

Correct Answer: It establishes the approval process and channels for schedule change requests

The Communication Management Plan establishes formal processes for handling all project communications, including schedule change requests. The correct answer is that it establishes the approval process and channels for schedule change requests. This is the most appropriate role because: 1. It defines formal communication channels 2. It establishes clear approval processes 3. It ensures proper documentation and tracking of requests 4. It maintains control over schedule changes Other options are incorrect because: - Allowing stakeholders to make changes at their discretion would create chaos and undermine project control - Not all acceleration requests should be implemented just because they come from key stakeholders - they need proper evaluation - Providing automatic approvals for senior management would bypass important project controls and risk assessment processes The Communication Management Plan supports structured decision-making and maintains proper governance over schedule changes.