PMP · Question #1044
A project manager has recently taken over a project and notices that a client team member often halts progress due to a lack of understanding of some project elements. The former project manager…
The correct answer is B. Update the communications matrix to ensure that client team member is included. When a client team member's lack of understanding causes project delays and they are missing from the communication plan, the project manager should update the communications matrix to include them.
Question
A project manager has recently taken over a project and notices that a client team member often halts progress due to a lack of understanding of some project elements. The former project manager gave the new project manager a complete list of people to communicate with, and this client team member is not on it. What should the project manager do?
Options
- ASubmit a change request to cover extra hours associated with project meetings
- BUpdate the communications matrix to ensure that client team member is included
- CSpeak with the client team member about the continuous delays during project meetings.
- DIncrease the project meeting frequency and duration to allow for the extra work required
How the community answered
(33 responses)- A3% (1)
- B73% (24)
- C15% (5)
- D9% (3)
Why each option
When a client team member's lack of understanding causes project delays and they are missing from the communication plan, the project manager should update the communications matrix to include them.
Submitting a change request for extra hours addresses the symptom (delays) but not the root cause, which is the communication breakdown and the client member's exclusion from vital information.
The communications matrix (or plan) defines who needs what information, when, and how. By updating it to include the client team member, the project manager ensures they receive the necessary project updates and information, directly resolving the communication gap that is causing delays due to a lack of understanding.
Speaking with the client team member about delays without addressing the underlying lack of information might be confrontational and would not resolve the root cause of the issue.
Increasing meeting frequency or duration is an inefficient solution that burdens all participants and does not specifically target the individual's lack of understanding due to exclusion from communications.
Concept tested: Stakeholder communication management; communication plan
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Wei W.Apr 5, 2026B is correct here. The client team member is clearly a stakeholder who needs project information, and the fact that they were left off the comms list is the root cause of the delays, so updating the communications matrix fixes the real problem rather than just treating the symptoms.
Luis F.Apr 7, 2026Nice call on B, I picked it on my exam last week too, though I'd add that after you update the matrix you also want to loop back with that team member directly so they know they're plugged in now and not just silently added to a list.
Toby R.Apr 17, 2026Leaned toward C first, but the missing stakeholder screamed update the communications matrix, so B.
Wesley A.Apr 18, 2026B is right but watch for the flipped version where they give you the matrix and ask what to update next, because I picked the matrix on my first attempt and it cost me, since the actual answer was the stakeholder engagement plan.
Luis F.Apr 13, 2026I picked C first because it seemed like addressing the delays head-on would solve it, but then I realized the real issue is that the client team member was never on the comms list to begin with, so B is the fix that actually addresses the root cause.
Wesley A.Apr 23, 2026B is correct, and I know because I overthought this exact scenario on my first attempt and picked C. The key detail is that the former PM's list is essentially a stale communications matrix, and the fact that this client team member keeps blocking progress proves they should have been on it from the start. Updating the communications matrix fixes the root cause so the client team member gets the information they need instead of constantly derailing meetings. C sounds proactive but it just treats the symptom and ignores why the person was out of the loop to begin with.