PMP · Question #858
Having managed a similar project while working with previous stakeholders, a project team decided to use the same report format they used in the earlier project. However, stakeholders new to the proje
The correct answer is C. Employ Monitor Communications techniques, which may eventually trigger changes to the. To address stakeholders' misunderstanding of project status reports, the project manager should employ Monitor Communications techniques, which can lead to necessary adjustments in the communications management plan.
Question
Having managed a similar project while working with previous stakeholders, a project team decided to use the same report format they used in the earlier project. However, stakeholders new to the project are not fully comprehending the status of the project based on the reports that are being circulated. How should the project manager address this concern moving forward?
Options
- AAdd the issue to the issue log and determine the corrective action.
- BCreate a fishbone diagram to determine the root cause for the misunderstanding.
- CEmploy Monitor Communications techniques, which may eventually trigger changes to the
- DShare the communications management plan and remind all stakeholders of the agreed-upon
How the community answered
(52 responses)- A8% (4)
- B2% (1)
- C77% (40)
- D13% (7)
Why each option
To address stakeholders' misunderstanding of project status reports, the project manager should employ Monitor Communications techniques, which can lead to necessary adjustments in the communications management plan.
Adding to an issue log and determining corrective action is too reactive and does not capture the comprehensive process of monitoring and adapting communication strategies.
A fishbone diagram is typically for root cause analysis of *problems* or defects, whereas this situation is a communication mismatch requiring process adjustment rather than a deep technical root cause analysis.
The core issue is that current communications are not effectively reaching and being understood by the new stakeholders, indicating a need for communication effectiveness evaluation. 'Monitor Communications' is the process of ensuring optimal information flow and includes assessing communication methods and formats, which, if found deficient, triggers change requests to the communications management plan to tailor reports to new stakeholders' needs.
Sharing the existing communications management plan would not help if the *plan itself* or its implementation with the current reports is failing to meet the new stakeholders' needs.
Concept tested: Project communications management (Monitor Communications)
Topics
Community Discussion
8
Yusuf A.Jan 30, 2026C is correct. One of the senior PMs at my company ran into this exact thing and told me the key is you have to actually Monitor Communications first to see what is and is not working before you go changing the plan, which is why C beats jumping straight to corrective action or root cause analysis.
Brenda K.Jan 31, 2026Right call on C but watch your time here because this one is a 30-second gimme if you just spot the keyword in the stem, not a sit-and-stew question, so answer it and move on.
Zlatan X.Feb 3, 2026I first leaned toward A because a misunderstanding feels like an issue worth logging, but the real mechanism here is Monitor Communications, which is the process that actually detects gaps in stakeholder comprehension and can trigger corrective changes to how information is delivered.
Brenda K.Feb 7, 2026C is the right call but man that option cuts off mid-sentence, which is annoying under the clock. A is the trap because adding it to the issue log feels proactive, but you are already in Monitor Communications anyway, so flag A and move on.
Samuel O.Feb 8, 2026Spot on on the trap, but the cutoff is exactly why you flag C and keep moving, because in the real world a half-finished comms update gets you the same blank stare from stakeholders that it does on the exam.
Grace U.Jan 22, 2026C is right. Does Monitor Communications always mean updating the plan itself?
Brenda K.Jan 24, 2026C is right, and no, Monitor Communications is more about comparing actual comms against the plan and recommending fixes, so only update the plan itself if you find a real gap that needs closing.
Samuel O.Feb 16, 2026Had this on my exam last week, C is right because Monitor Communications drives corrective changes.