PMP · Question #759
A project manager is assigned to a new project team that has several stakeholders who can have significant influence over the project outcomes. The project manager categorized the stakeholders into…
The correct answer is B. Develop and define a communication strategy for stakeholders. To effectively manage communications with diverse and influential stakeholders, a project manager must develop a comprehensive, tailored communication strategy that addresses the specific needs of each stakeholder group.
Question
A project manager is assigned to a new project team that has several stakeholders who can have significant influence over the project outcomes. The project manager categorized the stakeholders into four different groups and wants to define the communication strategy. How should the project manager handle communication?
Options
- ADefine and direct communication to influential stakeholders.
- BDevelop and define a communication strategy for stakeholders.
- CUtilize a uniform communication structure across all groups.
- DDescribe the four groups in the project stakeholder matrix.
How the community answered
(66 responses)- A14% (9)
- B76% (50)
- C8% (5)
- D3% (2)
Why each option
To effectively manage communications with diverse and influential stakeholders, a project manager must develop a comprehensive, tailored communication strategy that addresses the specific needs of each stakeholder group.
While influential stakeholders are important, focusing only on them neglects the communication needs of other stakeholder groups, which can lead to misunderstandings or resistance.
Developing and defining a communication strategy is a fundamental project management process that ensures information is shared effectively and efficiently with all stakeholders, taking into account their varying influence, interests, and communication needs, which is especially critical with diverse and influential groups. This strategy outlines what, when, how, and by whom information will be communicated.
A uniform communication structure is generally ineffective because different stakeholder groups have varying information needs, preferred communication methods, and levels of detail required.
Describing groups in a stakeholder matrix is part of stakeholder identification and analysis, but it is not the action of handling communication itself; it's a precursor to developing the strategy.
Concept tested: Project communication planning and stakeholder management
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok
Topics
Community Discussion
9
Hiroshi T.Jan 1, 2026B is correct. Per the PMBOK Guide, after classifying stakeholders into groups, the next logical step is to develop a communication strategy tailored to each group's needs and influence level. A uniform structure, as in option C, ignores the fact that different stakeholder groups require different communication approaches. Option A is too narrow because it only addresses the influential stakeholders, while option D simply describes the matrix without defining the actual communication approach.
Bao N.Jan 2, 2026Agreed on B, but watch for a variant of this question where they swap in "communication method" instead of "strategy" - people freeze because it sounds too granular, but it is still the right call over the uniform approach in C.
Grace U.Jan 23, 2026B is the right call here. The PM already categorized stakeholders into four groups, so the natural next step in stakeholder engagement is developing a tailored communication strategy that accounts for each group's level of influence and interest.
Bao N.Jan 26, 2026Agree on B but flag the trap: some versions of this question swap in five groups instead of four, so if you see that variant the answer is still B but watch for a distractor about updating the stakeholder register.
Bao N.Jan 31, 2026B is correct here. The stem already tells you the PM categorized stakeholders into four groups, so the next logical step is building a communication strategy tailored to those groups. A is a trap because it sounds decisive but ignores the lower-influence stakeholders who still need appropriate communication channels. C fails for the same reason, since a uniform structure defeats the purpose of categorizing them in the first place.
Viktor S.Dec 25, 2025I picked A first because the stem emphasizes significant influence and that screams prioritize the heavy hitters, but the key word is categorized into four groups, which means the PM already did the analysis and now needs a strategy that covers all of them appropriately, not just the loud ones. B is the general principle that actually transfers to the job: you build the communication strategy to fit the groups you identified, you do not just bark orders at the top tier.
Bao N.Dec 26, 2025Agreed on B, and the trap is that A sounds like stakeholder management 101 so people grab it before noticing the stem already past the analysis phase.
Samuel O.Jan 12, 2026A. The influential stakeholders are the ones who can make or break your project.
Bao N.Jan 14, 2026B is correct here because the question is asking you to identify stakeholders based on a specific assessment framework, not just who has the most clout. A sounds right intuitively but the power interest grid is about mapping both dimensions, and B matches what the stem is actually asking for.