PMP · Question #1179
A major issue about conflicting priorities has been highlighted by the project team with regard to a few stakeholder requirements. What should the project manager do?
The correct answer is C. Negotiate a common agreement with the involved stakeholders regarding the requirements.. When faced with conflicting stakeholder requirements, the project manager should directly engage the involved stakeholders to negotiate a common agreement and resolve the priorities.
Question
A major issue about conflicting priorities has been highlighted by the project team with regard to a few stakeholder requirements. What should the project manager do?
Options
- AEscalate to the project management office (PMO) and request a solution for the requirements.
- BAllow the project team to decide what is the most appropriate requirement to follow.
- CNegotiate a common agreement with the involved stakeholders regarding the requirements.
- DPrioritize other items for the team and deal with the conflicting requirements later.
How the community answered
(39 responses)- A10% (4)
- B3% (1)
- C85% (33)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
When faced with conflicting stakeholder requirements, the project manager should directly engage the involved stakeholders to negotiate a common agreement and resolve the priorities.
Escalating to the PMO without first attempting to resolve the conflict directly with stakeholders is premature and bypasses the project manager's primary responsibility for stakeholder management.
Allowing the project team to unilaterally decide on conflicting stakeholder requirements can lead to solutions that do not meet strategic needs or satisfy key stakeholders.
The project manager is responsible for managing stakeholder expectations and resolving conflicts. Negotiating directly with the involved stakeholders to reach a common agreement on conflicting requirements is the most effective approach to ensure consensus and align the project with overall objectives.
Postponing the resolution of conflicting requirements can lead to rework, delays, and increased costs later in the project lifecycle, making it an unsustainable approach.
Concept tested: Stakeholder conflict resolution and negotiation
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/project-stakeholder-management
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Prof. SaraDec 26, 2025C is correct because the PM's job in Stakeholder Management (Domain 13) is to facilitate alignment, not dump the problem on the PMO or the team. Remember the mnemonic: Negotiate Needs Now, since you always bring conflicting parties to the table to find agreement before the issue derails delivery.
Nina C.Jan 5, 2026Going with C here. When stakeholders have conflicting requirements, the PM needs to facilitate a conversation and negotiate something that works for everyone rather than just passing the problem up to the PMO or letting the team guess. Escalating to the PMO feels like giving up your job as the PM, and option D just delays the conflict until it gets worse. Quick question from someone still new to this stuff though: if the stakeholders absolutely refuse to budge during negotiations, is that the point where you finally escalate to the sponsor, or do you keep trying other techniques?
Lena V.Jan 7, 2026C is correct and yes, when negotiation genuinely stalls you escalate to the sponsor, but the exam expects you to document the conflict and your resolution attempts first because the sponsor will want to see what you already tried before stepping in.
Mei-Ling H.Jan 16, 2026First leaned toward A because of the word major, but C is correct because the PM must negotiate directly with stakeholders.
Anjali D.Jan 22, 2026I first leaned toward A since conflicting priorities felt like an escalation issue, but our group landed on C because the PM should directly negotiate and build consensus with stakeholders before pulling in the PMO. A few folks argued for B, but letting the team decide sidesteps the PM's responsibility to facilitate stakeholder agreement. Anyone else see this one on the exam recently?
Lena V.Jan 8, 2026C is the right call here. PMP expects you to negotiate and build consensus with stakeholders directly rather than punting it to the PMO or leaving the team to sort it out alone. One thing that trips me up: where exactly is the line between negotiating a common agreement yourself versus escalating to the PMO, since A can feel like the right move when stakeholders are truly deadlocked?