Manage Stakeholder Engagement

Correct Answer: Engaging with stakeholders to understand their needs, interests, and potential impact on the project

Engaging with stakeholders to understand their needs, interests, and potential impact on the project is a key activity in the 'Manage Stakeholder Engagement' process according to the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition. This process involves actively communicating and working with stakeholders to meet their needs and expectations, address issues as they occur, and foster appropriate stakeholder engagement in project activities throughout the project life cycle. The other options, such as developing a detailed project schedule, identifying and documenting project risks, and monitoring and controlling project costs, are important project management activities but are not specifically related to the 'Manage Stakeholder Engagement' process.

Correct Answer: Increased support and minimized resistance from stakeholders

The key benefit of the 'Manage Stakeholder Engagement' process is increased support and minimized resistance from stakeholders. This is achieved through effective communication, building trust, and addressing stakeholder concerns throughout the project lifecycle. The other options, while important aspects of stakeholder management, do not accurately represent the primary benefit of this specific process: - Enhanced communication and interpersonal skills are tools used to manage stakeholder engagement, but not the direct benefit. - Improved project efficiency and reduced risk are potential outcomes of effective stakeholder engagement, but not the key focus of this process. - Aligning project objectives with stakeholder needs is important, but it is not the main benefit of the 'Manage Stakeholder Engagement' process itself.

Correct Answer: Avoiding direct communication with conflicting stakeholders and relying solely on written updates

According to the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition, avoiding direct communication with conflicting stakeholders and relying solely on written updates is NOT a recommended strategy for managing stakeholder engagement when conflicts arise. Effective stakeholder engagement requires open communication, active listening, and collaboration to resolve conflicts. By avoiding direct communication and relying only on written updates, the project manager fails to address the underlying issues and may further escalate the conflict. The other answer options represent recommended strategies for managing stakeholder engagement during conflicts: - Facilitating open dialogue and actively listening to understand each stakeholder's perspective encourages a collaborative approach to conflict resolution. - Seeking to find common ground and mutually beneficial solutions through negotiation and compromise is essential for maintaining positive stakeholder relationships and achieving project objectives. - Escalating the issue to higher-level stakeholders or governance bodies for resolution may be necessary when conflicts cannot be resolved at the project level, ensuring that the project remains on track.