PMP · Question #338
A project manager meets with external stakeholders to explain the objectives and outline expectations for a new project. A key stakeholder appears to support the project, with the condition that other
The correct answer is D. Inform the sponsor and document the request in the stakeholder engagement plan. The project manager should document the key stakeholder's conditional support and inform the project sponsor about the out-of-scope request, allowing for a strategic decision.
Question
A project manager meets with external stakeholders to explain the objectives and outline expectations for a new project. A key stakeholder appears to support the project, with the condition that other unrelated projects will receive financial support. Due to cultural sensitivities, the project manager is reluctant to be direct with the key stakeholder on this matter. The project cannot proceed without the support of this stakeholder. What should the project manager do?
Options
- AProceed with the project without allowing scope creep to occur
- BUse the contingency funds to provide support for the requested projects
- CCancel the project since the stakeholder's request is out of scope
- DInform the sponsor and document the request in the stakeholder engagement plan
How the community answered
(31 responses)- A16% (5)
- B3% (1)
- C10% (3)
- D71% (22)
Why each option
The project manager should document the key stakeholder's conditional support and inform the project sponsor about the out-of-scope request, allowing for a strategic decision.
Proceeding without addressing the stakeholder's condition is risky as their support is crucial, and it ignores the cultural sensitivities involved, potentially leading to project failure.
Using contingency funds for unrelated projects constitutes a misuse of project funds and unauthorized scope creep, which the project manager does not have the authority to approve.
Canceling the project is a premature and drastic step; the project manager should first escalate the issue to the sponsor for a strategic decision before taking such an action.
Documenting the request in the stakeholder engagement plan ensures a clear record of the stakeholder's demands, and informing the sponsor allows for an informed decision on how to proceed, as the request involves significant strategic and financial implications beyond the project manager's authority.
Concept tested: Stakeholder management, managing out-of-scope requests, escalation
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/identify-stakeholders
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Viktor S.Mar 18, 2026D is correct. When a stakeholder ties project support to unrelated demands you cannot resolve on your own, you escalate to the sponsor and document it in the stakeholder engagement plan so there is a record and a decision-maker involved. Anything else is either hiding the problem or caving to scope creep.
Hiroshi T.Mar 1, 2026Leaned toward C, but PMBOK 13 says escalate stakeholder issues to sponsor.
Viktor S.Mar 2, 2026C is right but memorizing PMBOK page numbers misses the point: you escalate to whoever has authority to actually resolve the issue, which is usually the sponsor but not always.
Ola B.Feb 19, 2026I first leaned toward B because the stakeholder holds leverage and the PM wants to avoid friction, but contingency funds are for identified risks on this project, not a side deal for unrelated work. D is the right call because this is a political and financial issue that needs to be escalated to the sponsor, who owns the budget and can navigate the organizational politics. You also document it in the stakeholder engagement plan so there is a record of the condition and the response. I actually role-played a similar scenario in a PMP study group last month and the consensus was always escalate first when money and culture
Wesley A.Mar 11, 2026Got D on my exam last month and it was almost word for word. First attempt I would have picked C because the condition felt unreasonable, but the trick is that PMI always wants you to escalate funding decisions to the sponsor rather than handling it yourself.
Ola B.Mar 12, 2026Agree on D for the exam, but in practice I always spin up a quick RACI in a sandbox project to see how the escalation path actually feels, because muscle memory beats memorizing PMI logic when you are stressed on test day.