PMP · Question #895
A company is set to execute a project across different localities and countries. Right before execution, a press release from one of the impacted communities expresses disapproval of the project. What
The correct answer is A. Engage all critical stakeholders and align project objectives with expectations from the. When an impacted community expresses disapproval of a project, the project manager's immediate first step should be to proactively engage with all critical stakeholders to understand their concerns and align project objectives with their expectations.
Question
Options
- AEngage all critical stakeholders and align project objectives with expectations from the
- BInclude the community statement as a new risk in the project's risk register.
- CApproach the government to obtain their support and influence to engage the community.
- DUpdate the stakeholder communications plan to ensure that the community is always informed.
How the community answered
(42 responses)- A60% (25)
- B24% (10)
- C12% (5)
- D5% (2)
Why each option
When an impacted community expresses disapproval of a project, the project manager's immediate first step should be to proactively engage with all critical stakeholders to understand their concerns and align project objectives with their expectations.
The immediate priority when a critical community expresses disapproval is to proactively engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the impacted community, to understand their concerns, establish dialogue, and attempt to align project objectives with their expectations. This direct engagement is crucial for mitigating resistance, building trust, and potentially finding common ground before the project progresses, preventing further escalation.
While the community's disapproval represents a significant risk, merely adding it to the risk register is a reactive administrative step and does not actively address or resolve the immediate stakeholder issue that could halt or severely impede the project.
Immediately approaching the government for support, before directly engaging with the disapproving community, could be perceived as bypassing their concerns and might further escalate the opposition rather than fostering constructive dialogue and understanding.
Updating the stakeholder communications plan to merely inform the community is insufficient when disapproval has already been expressed; the project manager must actively listen to and engage with the community to address their specific concerns, not just provide one-way information.
Concept tested: Stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, issue management
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/stakeholders
Topics
Community Discussion
8
Zlatan X.May 7, 2026A. This is the right call because stakeholder alignment at the program and portfolio level drives benefits realization, and disapproval from an impacted community threatens the interdependencies between project components and their shared outcomes. Engaging critical stakeholders first ensures governance alignment and mitigates downstream risks before they cascade across localities.
Olusegun A.May 2, 2026A is the right call here because stakeholder engagement trumps everything when you have active disapproval surfacing right before execution. Option B is the tempting distractor because your PM brain screams risk register the second something negative pops up, but logging a risk without first understanding the community's actual concerns through direct engagement is putting paperwork ahead of people. Option D also looks reasonable since it addresses communication, but just blasting updates at a group that already disapproves does nothing to resolve the underlying conflict. The stem cuts off mid-sentence but the intent is clear, you need to align objectives with stakeholder expectations
Bao N.Apr 20, 2026A is right but the answer text is literally cut off mid-sentence, classic. B tempts you but engagement beats logging a risk first.
Olusegun A.Apr 21, 2026Agreed on A, but B isnt even about logging a risk, its about going to the plan first, which is where people trip because they think any mention of stakeholders automatically means engagement.
Yusuf A.Apr 24, 2026Going with A here. One of the senior PMs at my company always says stakeholder disapproval right before execution means you go back to engagement and alignment first, not straight to documentation or government intervention.
Luis F.Apr 25, 2026Agreed on A, your senior PM has the right instinct, though I would add that its also worth capturing whatever specific objection came up so you are not just re engaging blind.
Luis F.Apr 18, 2026Going with B on this one. A press release expressing disapproval right before execution is a brand new risk to the project, so logging it in the risk register first is the textbook move before you figure out how to respond to it.
Zlatan X.Apr 19, 2026Actually A is correct here, Luis. At the program level a press release expressing disapproval right before execution is a stakeholder engagement issue that demands immediate attention through direct communication and engagement, not a passive entry into a risk register for later analysis.