PMP · Question #518
A project manager is leading a large-scale project that involves 70 stakeholders. The project manager has heard various comments and expectations from the customers, some of which are contradictory. C
The correct answer is C. Organize a face-to-face meeting with all stakeholders to understand their interests and concerns. To build consensus on unclear and contradictory requirements from 70 stakeholders, the project manager should organize a face-to-face meeting with all stakeholders. This allows for direct discussion, negotiation, and clarification of interests to reach a shared understanding.
Question
A project manager is leading a large-scale project that involves 70 stakeholders. The project manager has heard various comments and expectations from the customers, some of which are contradictory. Consequently, some requirements are not clear. What should the project manager do to build consensus regarding the requirements?
Options
- AEscalate the issue to the management team for their review and guidance
- BCreate a survey template to collect feedback from stakeholders to reach an agreement
- COrganize a face-to-face meeting with all stakeholders to understand their interests and concerns
- DLeverage expert judgment to determine the requirements that should be considered
How the community answered
(34 responses)- A3% (1)
- B6% (2)
- C79% (27)
- D12% (4)
Why each option
To build consensus on unclear and contradictory requirements from 70 stakeholders, the project manager should organize a face-to-face meeting with all stakeholders. This allows for direct discussion, negotiation, and clarification of interests to reach a shared understanding.
Escalating the issue prematurely does not directly involve the stakeholders in resolving their contradictory requirements and may lead to imposed solutions rather than consensus.
While surveys can collect feedback from a large group, they are not effective for resolving contradictory requirements or facilitating real-time negotiation and discussion needed to build consensus.
With numerous stakeholders and conflicting, unclear requirements, a direct, interactive approach is most effective for building consensus. A face-to-face meeting (or a highly facilitated virtual equivalent) allows stakeholders to hear each other's perspectives, discuss points of contention, and collaboratively negotiate requirements, which is crucial for achieving a shared understanding and agreement.
Relying solely on expert judgment bypasses stakeholder involvement, which is essential for ensuring requirements meet their needs and for building buy-in and consensus.
Concept tested: Stakeholder requirements elicitation and consensus building
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok
Topics
Community Discussion
7
Imani T.Jun 22, 2026C is the right call here. When you have 70 stakeholders with contradictory expectations, you need face-to-face interaction to hash things out and build consensus, which is exactly what the PMP exam wants you to pick over surveys or escalations.
Samuel O.Jun 23, 2026Agreed on C, but keep in mind the exam usually frames it as facilitating a session to drive alignment rather than just hashing it out, since with 70 stakeholders you are not getting true consensus in one room.
Grace U.Jun 17, 2026C is right but face-to-face with all 70 sounds rough; consensus needs it.
Yuki V.Jun 10, 2026Picked C on my exam last week. Does facilitation always beat surveys when stakeholders clash?
Samuel O.Jun 10, 2026Facilitation usually wins for surfacing the real conflict but dont write off surveys entirely since Ive seen quieter stakeholders only give their honest position anonymously, which then gives the facilitator something concrete to work with in the room.
Samuel O.Jun 10, 2026A. With 70 stakeholders and contradictory needs, escalate to management for alignment.
Grace U.Jun 12, 2026It is tempting to escalate when stakeholders disagree, but the exam expects you to facilitate alignment yourself through techniques like workshops or prioritization, which is why C is the better answer here. Escalation is a last resort, not the first move.