PMP Practice Questions #78
As the project manager of a large technology implementation project, you are encountering conflicting stakeholder preferences regarding the project schedule. Some stakeholders are pushing for a progressively elaborated schedule. In contrast, others are insisting on a comprehensive schedule developed upfront. What should be your primary course of action to navigate these differing views?
A. Develop a schedule based on your organization’s standard practices.
B. Develop a comprehensive, detailed schedule initially and conduct a meeting to explain.
C. Create a schedule with sufficient detailing for immediate activities and leave room for progressive elaboration on future tasks.
D. Organize a brainstorming session with all stakeholders to reach a consensus on the Schedule Management Plan that suits the project’s needs.
Analysis
In managing a large technology implementation project with conflicting stakeholder preferences on the project schedule, the project manager faces a choice between progressive elaboration and a comprehensive schedule developed upfront. The decision taken needs to balance these differing views effectively.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Develop a schedule based on your organization’s standard practices. This option suggests relying on established organizational practices for schedule development. While it ensures adherence to proven methods, it may not effectively address the specific and conflicting preferences of stakeholders in this particular project scenario. This approach might be perceived as too rigid or generic, possibly failing to accommodate the unique requirements of a large technology implementation project.
Option B: Develop a comprehensive, detailed schedule initially and conduct a meeting to explain. This option proposes creating a detailed schedule upfront and later explaining it to stakeholders. While this approach ensures a thorough initial planning phase, it does not actively engage stakeholders in the decision-making process. It lacks an attempt to resolve the underlying conflict of preferences among stakeholders, potentially leading to further disagreements or resistance to the schedule. This method may come across as imposing a one-sided solution without adequately considering diverse stakeholder inputs.
Option C: Create a schedule with sufficient detailing for immediate activities and leave room for progressive elaboration on future tasks. This middle-ground approach offers a compromise but may not fully address the concerns of stakeholders firmly in either camp.
Option D: Organize a brainstorming session with all stakeholders to reach a consensus on the Schedule Management Plan that suits the project’s needs. This approach focuses on collaborative problem-solving and stakeholder engagement. By organizing a brainstorming session, it allows for open discussion and consideration of all viewpoints. This method promotes building a shared understanding and aligns with conflict management best practices. It not only addresses the immediate scheduling conflict but also fosters stakeholder buy-in and collaborative decision-making, which is crucial for the project’s success. This option reflects an understanding of the importance of stakeholder engagement in schedule management planning.
Conclusion: Given the conflicting stakeholder preferences, the best course of action is to facilitate a collaborative decision-making process. Option D, which proposes organizing a brainstorming session to achieve consensus on the Schedule Management Plan, is the most appropriate. This option not only addresses the differing views but also fosters stakeholder engagement and buy-in, crucial for the project’s success.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| Process | Task 6 Plan and manage schedule |
| People | Task 1: Manage conflict |
| People | Task 10 Build shared understanding |
Topics Covered
- Schedule Management Plan
- Conflict Management
