PMP · Question #540
After sending an on-site meeting invitation to seven people for the kick-off meeting of a project, a key stakeholder declines because they will be at another location for the rest of the month. What s
The correct answer is D. Make arrangements for the stakeholder to join the kick-off meeting virtually.. To ensure a key stakeholder's participation in a kick-off meeting despite their inability to attend in person, the project manager should facilitate their virtual attendance.
Question
After sending an on-site meeting invitation to seven people for the kick-off meeting of a project, a key stakeholder declines because they will be at another location for the rest of the month. What should the project manager do?
Options
- AChange the kick-off meeting to a virtual meeting so all can attend at the same time.
- BHold the kick-off meeting with the rest of the stakeholders to avoid a delay in the project.
- CReschedule the kick-off meeting for the following month so all can attend on-site.
- DMake arrangements for the stakeholder to join the kick-off meeting virtually.
How the community answered
(43 responses)- A16% (7)
- B7% (3)
- C5% (2)
- D72% (31)
Why each option
To ensure a key stakeholder's participation in a kick-off meeting despite their inability to attend in person, the project manager should facilitate their virtual attendance.
While changing the entire meeting to virtual is an option, it might not be necessary if only one key stakeholder cannot attend physically, and others prefer or benefit from an on-site meeting.
Holding the meeting without a key stakeholder, especially for a kick-off, risks missing crucial input and buy-in, potentially leading to future issues and requiring subsequent re-briefings.
Rescheduling the kick-off for a month later would cause a significant and unnecessary delay to the project initiation, potentially impacting the entire project timeline.
A kick-off meeting is crucial for aligning all key stakeholders on project objectives, scope, and initial plans. Facilitating virtual attendance for the absent key stakeholder ensures their immediate involvement and input, maintaining momentum without the need to fully reschedule or exclude them, which could lead to misunderstandings or lack of buy-in later.
Concept tested: Stakeholder engagement and communication strategy for meetings
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/plan-stakeholder-engagement
Topics
Community Discussion
6
Olusegun A.May 30, 2026D is correct. The PMBOK wants you to keep the on-site meeting as planned for the six who can attend, while accommodating the key stakeholder remotely, so you satisfy both inclusion and schedule without compromising the original plan.
Yuki V.May 22, 2026D is correct but A is tempting. The difference is that A changes the entire meeting format while D keeps the on-site meeting and just accommodates the one stakeholder, which is less disruptive.
Prof. SaraJun 11, 2026D is the PMI-preferred answer because it preserves the value of an in-person kick-off while ensuring the key stakeholder is still engaged. A is tempting because it sounds inclusive, but switching the entire meeting to virtual just because one person is remote is an overreaction that discards the planned format. The real-world move, and what the exam wants, is a hybrid approach: keep the on-site meeting and make arrangements for that one stakeholder to dial in. Remember the mnemonic "Keep the Plan, Span the Span" - stick to your original meeting plan and just bridge the gap for the
Yuki V.Jun 13, 2026Agree with D, and the hybrid read is spot on, but I would also flag that the exam wants you to confirm the remote stakeholder can actually participate effectively, not just dial in, because engagement is the keyword in the stem.
Brenda K.May 25, 2026C is the move here and I would flag this as a 45-second read. The kick-off meeting sets the tone for the entire project and having everyone on-site for that first face-to-face is worth the wait, so I would reschedule for next month rather than dilute it with a hybrid setup.
Prof. SaraMay 27, 2026D is correct because delaying the project start to accommodate an in-person kickoff violates schedule constraints, whereas the question asks how to proceed when the team cannot all be present, making the virtual kickoff the pragmatic PM move. Brenda K. is right that face-to-face adds value, but the PMBOK mindset is to adapt and keep momentum rather than wait when logistics block the ideal scenario.