Internal project team members and a subject matter expert had a heated discussion about the client's needs. The deliverable is now at risk of being delayed. Which of the following should be notified…

A program manager oversees multiple related projects, and a delay in one project could impact the overall program, making them a crucial early notification.

The end user is the consumer of the project's output and is typically shielded from internal project conflicts unless it directly impacts their interaction or a finalized delivery date. Informing them prematurely about internal team disagreements could cause unnecessary alarm or erode confidence in the project. Project management hierarchy (sponsor, program manager, steering committee) and other key stakeholders should be informed before the end user to determine the official communication strategy and impact.

The steering committee provides high-level guidance and makes strategic decisions, so they need to be informed of significant risks that could affect project objectives.

The project sponsor is the primary advocate and funder of the project and must be informed immediately about significant risks to scope, schedule, or budget.