PMP · Question #1263
During the execution phase of a healthcare IT project, the project manager finds one stakeholder is very difficult to communicate with and obtain feedback from on project deliverables. What should…
The correct answer is D. Update the stakeholder engagement plan for the stakeholder. When a project manager encounters difficulty communicating with a stakeholder and obtaining feedback, the appropriate action is to update the stakeholder engagement plan to adapt strategies for that individual.
Question
Options
- AShare a template with the stakeholder to receive feedback on deliverables.
- BUse networking skills to approach the stakeholder.
- CAsk the project sponsor to arrange a meeting with the stakeholder.
- DUpdate the stakeholder engagement plan for the stakeholder.
How the community answered
(43 responses)- A5% (2)
- B14% (6)
- C7% (3)
- D74% (32)
Why each option
When a project manager encounters difficulty communicating with a stakeholder and obtaining feedback, the appropriate action is to update the stakeholder engagement plan to adapt strategies for that individual.
While a template might standardize feedback, it does not directly address the underlying issue of a stakeholder being difficult to communicate with or unwilling to provide feedback.
Using networking skills is a general approach that could be part of an engagement strategy, but updating the formal plan provides a structured and documented way to address the communication breakdown.
Escalating to the project sponsor should be considered if direct attempts to adjust engagement fail or if the stakeholder's non-responsiveness becomes a critical risk, but it's not the initial, direct project management action.
The stakeholder engagement plan is the document that outlines strategies for effective stakeholder involvement. If existing strategies are failing, it should be updated to include new, tailored approaches to improve communication and feedback from the difficult stakeholder.
Concept tested: Stakeholder engagement plan management
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/project-stakeholder-management
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Ola B.Mar 31, 2026D is correct. When a stakeholder is not responding as expected, you update the stakeholder engagement plan to reflect the current engagement level and adjust your communication strategies accordingly. I always tell people to spin up a quick lab scenario with a mock stakeholder grid so you can see how changing one person's engagement level triggers a plan update.
Prof. SaraApr 2, 2026Good call on D, and the mock stakeholder grid is a solid lab idea, but remember to distinguish between updating the engagement plan versus updating the stakeholder register, since the register holds the baseline engagement levels while the plan is where you document the adjusted strategies.
Prof. SaraMar 27, 2026Confirmed D on exam last week, and think of the mnemonic UPDATED when engagement issues surface, because the stakeholder engagement plan is your living document for exactly this scenario, not a one-off template or sponsor escalation. Since this maps to the People domain, which specific current and desired engagement levels would you document for this stakeholder before and after the update?
Anjali D.Apr 8, 2026First leaned toward A, but ongoing engagement issues mean update the stakeholder engagement plan.
Prof. SaraApr 9, 2026Agreed on B, but remember this also means revisiting the stakeholder register first, since changed engagement levels may require updating the stakeholder classification itself before you touch the engagement plan.
Ingrid P.Apr 17, 2026D is correct because when engagement behavior deviates from what you planned, the stakeholder engagement plan is the living document you update. I keep a card on this exact pattern: difficult or unresponsive stakeholder during execution equals revise the engagement plan, not escalate and not just try a template. A and B are tactical nudges that might help later but they skip the step of recording the change in approach. C is escalation territory and you are not there yet.