When do stakeholders have the greatest influence?

Question

Options

• AAt the start of the project
• BAt the end of the project
• CDuring execution
• DStakeholders have constant influence

• A
  84% (21)
• B
  12% (3)
• D
  4% (1)

Explanation

Stakeholders wield the greatest influence at the start of a project because that is when scope, requirements, budget, and direction are still being defined - changes at this stage cost little and shape everything that follows. As the project progresses, decisions become locked in, resources are committed, and reversing course grows increasingly expensive and disruptive, so stakeholder influence naturally diminishes over time.

• B (end of project) is wrong because by then deliverables are nearly complete and major decisions are irreversible - stakeholders can accept or reject, but can no longer meaningfully shape the outcome.
• C (during execution) is wrong because execution is when plans are carried out; change requests at this stage carry high cost and risk of delay.
• D (constant influence) is wrong because influence follows an inverse relationship with project progress - it peaks early and declines as the project matures.

Memory tip: Think of wet cement - it's easy to reshape when first poured (project start), but once it sets (execution/closure), changes require a jackhammer.

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