PMP · Question #1403
A project manager joins an existing project. One project stakeholder is unhappy with the frequency and types of project updates received and has made a request for more information to be shared…
The correct answer is D. Schedule a meeting with the stakeholder to better understand their request. When a stakeholder expresses dissatisfaction with project updates and requests more information, the project manager should first schedule a meeting with them to understand the specific needs and concerns.
Question
A project manager joins an existing project. One project stakeholder is unhappy with the frequency and types of project updates received and has made a request for more information to be shared. What should the project manager do next?
Options
- AConsult the scope baseline document to track project updates.
- BUpdate the project communications management plan immediately.
- CInform the stakeholder to wait for the annual stakeholder review meeting.
- DSchedule a meeting with the stakeholder to better understand their request.
How the community answered
(19 responses)- A5% (1)
- B16% (3)
- C5% (1)
- D74% (14)
Why each option
When a stakeholder expresses dissatisfaction with project updates and requests more information, the project manager should first schedule a meeting with them to understand the specific needs and concerns.
The scope baseline document defines the project scope, not the details of project updates or communication frequency; therefore, it is not the appropriate document to consult for this issue.
Updating the communications management plan immediately without fully understanding the stakeholder's specific request risks making ineffective changes and should only be done after gathering more information.
Dismissing the stakeholder's immediate concern and telling them to wait for an annual meeting is poor stakeholder management and will likely escalate dissatisfaction rather than resolve it.
As a new project manager, the first step when a stakeholder expresses dissatisfaction with communication is to engage directly with that stakeholder. Scheduling a meeting allows the project manager to thoroughly understand their specific concerns, preferred communication methods, and information needs before making any changes.
Concept tested: Stakeholder communication management
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/stakeholder-management
Topics
Community Discussion
4
Ingrid P.Apr 24, 2026D. Before touching the communications management plan, you need to understand the stakeholder's specific information needs, so meet with them first. This is a classic sequence card: assess the request, then update the plan.
Olusegun A.Apr 25, 2026D is correct but keep in mind the stakeholder engagement plan may also need updating, since a change in information needs often signals a shift in engagement level that the PMBOK wants you to catch.
Olusegun A.Apr 10, 2026D. Got this exact scenario on my exam last year and picked D because anytime a stakeholder raises a concern about communications, you engage them directly before changing anything. I almost jumped to B out of habit, but the PMBOK logic is simple: understand the request first, then update the communications management plan.
Anjali D.Apr 5, 2026Our group landed on D. Before changing anything in the communications plan you need to understand what the stakeholder actually wants, so scheduling a meeting is the right next step.