PMP · Question #241
In the middle of the execution phase for a big project, a new stakeholder who was unfamiliar with the project joined the board of directors and is influencing the decisions made in the project. This c
The correct answer is C. Present the project to the stakeholder.. When a new stakeholder joins the board of directors and is impacting the project's progress, it's crucial for the project manager to ensure that the stakeholder is fully informed about the project, its objectives, and its current status. By presenting the project to the stakehold
Question
In the middle of the execution phase for a big project, a new stakeholder who was unfamiliar with the project joined the board of directors and is influencing the decisions made in the project. This change is impacting the project's progress. What should the project manager do first?
Options
- AInform the client about the change.
- BUpdate the risk register with a new risk.
- CPresent the project to the stakeholder.
- DRevise the project schedule.
How the community answered
(29 responses)- A28% (8)
- B10% (3)
- C48% (14)
- D14% (4)
Explanation
When a new stakeholder joins the board of directors and is impacting the project's progress, it's crucial for the project manager to ensure that the stakeholder is fully informed about the project, its objectives, and its current status. By presenting the project to the stakeholder, the project manager can ensure that the stakeholder is aware of the project's goals, timelines, and deliverables, and that they understand the impact that their decisions may have on the project. This will help the project manager to manage the stakeholder's expectations and ensure that their influence on the project is aligned with the project's goals.
Topics
Community Discussion
10
Imani T.May 18, 2026C is the right call here. The PMBOK is big on engaging new stakeholders early and getting them aligned with the project charter and objectives before anything else. You present the project to bring them up to speed, which directly addresses the root cause of the interference: they are unfamiliar with the project. B is tempting because a new influential stakeholder is absolutely a risk, but you document and manage that risk after you have attempted to engage and align them.
Nina C.May 21, 2026Agreed on C, and I would add that once you have engaged and aligned them, documenting any residual concerns in the risk register (option B) becomes a natural follow-up rather than a competing choice.
Hiroshi T.Apr 9, 2026Saw this on my exam last month, C is correct per PMBOK engage new stakeholders first.
Wei W.Apr 11, 2026Agree on C, though on the actual exam watch for the trap where PMBOK wants you to assess current stakeholder engagement levels first before deciding whether new ones need engaging.
Wei W.May 6, 2026C is right but B is tempting, you engage the stakeholder first before documenting.
Fatima Z.May 8, 2026C is the winner but B is a classic trap, because engaging first sounds polite but the exam wants you to capture and confirm the need before you chase anyone down, so remember the acronym C.A.P. for Capture, Analyze, Prioritize, and think of pinning a sticky note on a stakeholder before you shake their hand.
Fatima Z.May 2, 2026Leaned toward B for the risk angle, but a newbie on the board needs the project pitch first, so C.
Nina C.May 3, 2026Agree C is the right call here because leadership needs the business case before they care about risk, though I would watch out for exam questions where the stem specifically mentions an approved project already in flight, because then B becomes the answer.
Nina C.Apr 20, 2026Picking D. Progress is already impacted, so fix the schedule first.
Imani T.Apr 21, 2026C is correct here because the question is asking about identifying the issue first, not jumping straight to a fix. You can't adjust the schedule reliably until you've diagnosed what's actually causing the delay, which is what C addresses.