PMP · Question #1120
The project management office (PMO) assigns a project manager who specializes in hybrid approaches to a predictive project that is off track from both the cost and schedule perspectives. The project r
The correct answer is A. Meet with the stakeholders to understand their concerns and define an action plan to resolve. When faced with stakeholder dissatisfaction and demands for replacement due to project delays, the project manager should proactively meet with stakeholders to understand their specific concerns and collaboratively develop an action plan for resolution.
Question
The project management office (PMO) assigns a project manager who specializes in hybrid approaches to a predictive project that is off track from both the cost and schedule perspectives. The project runs into further delays as the project manager is ramping up on the project. The stakeholders are unhappy and ask senior management to replace the project manager. How should the project manager approach this situation?
Options
- AMeet with the stakeholders to understand their concerns and define an action plan to resolve
- BEscalate the stakeholder issue to the management team and ask for help with resolving the
- CSocialize with the stakeholders to better understand their needs and reset expectations.
- DContinue to work on the project until the stakeholders and management come to a decision.
How the community answered
(52 responses)- A79% (41)
- B4% (2)
- C6% (3)
- D12% (6)
Why each option
When faced with stakeholder dissatisfaction and demands for replacement due to project delays, the project manager should proactively meet with stakeholders to understand their specific concerns and collaboratively develop an action plan for resolution.
The project manager is new to the project and facing significant stakeholder dissatisfaction due to existing delays and their own ramp-up time. The most effective first step is direct engagement with stakeholders to listen to their concerns, understand their specific pain points, and collaboratively define an action plan. This demonstrates responsiveness, builds trust, and lays the groundwork for addressing the issues and regaining control of the project.
Escalating to management without first attempting to resolve the issue directly with stakeholders is passing the buck and undermines the project manager's leadership and credibility.
While socializing to understand needs and reset expectations is part of it, "define an action plan to resolve" is more concrete and proactive, focusing on tangible steps rather than just discussion.
Continuing to work without addressing stakeholder concerns directly will exacerbate the situation and is a passive approach that won't resolve the conflict or improve stakeholder confidence.
Concept tested: Stakeholder management and conflict resolution
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/project-stakeholder-management
Topics
Community Discussion
3
Zlatan X.Jul 2, 2026A is the correct choice here. The PMI exam rewards direct stakeholder engagement and proactive problem-solving at the component level, which is exactly what option A delivers by capturing concerns and translating them into a structured action plan. Option B is just upward dependency escalation, which signals a loss of control over stakeholder governance, and option D is passive avoidance that only deepens the delivery gap. You own the situation by convening the stakeholders, validating their pain points, and committing to a corrective path forward, which is the only move that reestablishes trust and protects benefits realization.
Grace U.Jun 28, 2026A is the right call here, though the question wording feels a bit clunky with that trailing "to resolve" that cuts off. C is tempting because resetting expectations sounds proactive, but socializing first without a concrete action plan just delays the fix people are already frustrated about.
Fatima Z.Jul 5, 2026A is the sticky choice here, think "ACID" for Action Plan, Concerns, Inform, Direct - meet with stakeholders first, hear the concerns, build the plan. Quick check though, would C ever be the better pick if the question framed it as a trust issue rather than a performance issue, or does "socialize" always sound too informal for PMP?