PMP · Question #20
A project manager is leading a multiyear project that involves internal and external stakeholders. As the project manager begins to gather requirements, additional business stakeholders express intere
The correct answer is A. Prioritize stakeholders based on the project phase and need B. Perform a stakeholder assessment to align with the project objectives E. Develop a stakeholder impact/influence matrix to determine the level of engagement. To properly involve new business stakeholders in a multiyear project, the project manager should conduct a stakeholder assessment, develop an impact/influence matrix to tailor engagement, and prioritize involvement based on project phase and need.
Question
A project manager is leading a multiyear project that involves internal and external stakeholders. As the project manager begins to gather requirements, additional business stakeholders express interest in being involved. Which three actions should the project manager take to ensure proper stakeholder involvement? (Choose three.)
Options
- APrioritize stakeholders based on the project phase and need
- BPerform a stakeholder assessment to align with the project objectives
- CClassify and rank stakeholders based on their positions in the organization
- DInclude all stakeholders in the stakeholder engagement plan and provide the same level of
- EDevelop a stakeholder impact/influence matrix to determine the level of engagement
How the community answered
(39 responses)- A72% (28)
- C18% (7)
- D10% (4)
Why each option
To properly involve new business stakeholders in a multiyear project, the project manager should conduct a stakeholder assessment, develop an impact/influence matrix to tailor engagement, and prioritize involvement based on project phase and need.
Prioritizing stakeholders based on the current project phase and their specific need ensures that engagement efforts are efficient and effective, focusing communication and involvement where it can have the most impact at any given time throughout the multiyear project.
Performing a stakeholder assessment to align with project objectives helps the project manager understand the interests, expectations, and potential impact of all stakeholders, ensuring that engagement strategies are tailored and contribute effectively to project goals.
Classifying and ranking stakeholders based solely on their positions in the organization is an insufficient criterion for determining *proper involvement*; a comprehensive analysis considers other factors like their interest, influence, and impact on the project.
Including all stakeholders and providing them with the *same level of engagement* is generally inefficient and impractical for complex, multiyear projects, as different stakeholders have varying levels of interest, influence, and needs, requiring tailored and proportionate engagement strategies.
Developing a stakeholder impact/influence matrix is a critical analytical tool that enables the project manager to categorize stakeholders by their power and interest, thereby determining the appropriate level and type of engagement strategy required for each, ensuring efficient and proper involvement.
Concept tested: Stakeholder Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement Planning
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Luis F.Feb 25, 2026Got A, B, and E on my exam last month. You have to prioritize and assess stakeholders as they pop up, and the influence matrix is the standard PMP tool for figuring out how much engagement each person actually needs. D trips people up because it sounds inclusive, but you definitely should not give everyone the same level of engagement.
Mei-Ling H.Feb 9, 2026Almost picked C but positions alone too narrow, E gives influence plus A and B.
Yuki V.Mar 10, 2026Confirmed A, B, and E on my exam last month. The stakeholder engagement plan is all about tailoring your approach, so D trips people up because treating everyone the same never works on a multiyear project with that many competing interests.
Zlatan X.Feb 14, 2026Got A B E on my exam last spring, influence matrix is the dead giveaway.
Grace U.Mar 16, 2026Took me a second on this one because A and B almost feel like the same step, but they do cover different angles. B is your baseline assessment, and A is how you actually apply that information as the project moves through phases. E is the tool that makes sense of it all, since an influence matrix is exactly how you figure out who needs what level of engagement. D is the trap here, because treating every stakeholder the same is a recipe for chaos on a multiyear project with this many people involved.