PMP Question #897: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

Question

A new project manager is working on a time-sensitive social media strategy for a software development company that is building a communications management plan for the stakeholders. This is the first major project since the company shifted to working remotely on a full-time basis. After reviewing all previous company artifacts, the project manager finds a standard operating procedure (SOP) document outlining how all communication should take place. How should the project manager proceed?

Options

• AAdhere to the SOP for the project, make a note of required changes, and escalate to the change
• BUse the SOP as a base plan and make updates during the control and monitoring phase of the
• CIgnore the SOP and write a separate communications management plan for this project.
• DAssess the SOP for relevancy, make updates, and circulate to the stakeholders for comment

Explanation

Given a company's recent shift to remote work and a time-sensitive project, the project manager should assess the existing SOP for communications for relevancy, make necessary updates for the new context, and then circulate it to stakeholders for comment.

Common mistakes.

• A. Adhering rigidly to a potentially outdated SOP for a time-sensitive project in a new remote work environment, and only noting changes for later escalation, could lead to ineffective communication and project delays from the outset.
• B. While using the SOP as a base is reasonable, waiting until the control and monitoring phase to make updates means the project would initiate with a potentially inappropriate communications plan, which is too late for a time-sensitive project in a new operational context.
• C. Ignoring an existing company SOP completely is generally poor practice as it disregards established organizational processes and lessons learned, even if the SOP needs significant revision to be applicable.

Concept tested. Communication planning, organizational process assets adaptation, change management

Reference. https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/communications-management

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