PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
An executive stakeholder bypasses you and directly gives instructions to the development team to add a new report. The team starts working on it. What should you do?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Discuss with the executive the importance of following the change control process and update the communications management plan
PMI recommends addressing the stakeholder's behavior professionally and reinforcing the change control process.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Immediately stop the team's work on the new report without discussing with the executive
Why it's wrong here
Immediately stopping work without prior discussion with the executive stakeholder is a unilateral action that lacks proper communication and stakeholder engagement. This approach can lead to confusion, erode trust, and potentially cause unnecessary rework or delays if the executive's directive was critical, even if improperly delivered. A project manager should always seek clarification and follow established communication protocols before making such a drastic decision that impacts project scope and schedule.
- ✗
Allow the team to continue to avoid conflict with the executive
Why it's wrong here
Allowing the team to continue working on an unapproved directive from an executive stakeholder directly undermines the project manager's authority and the established project governance framework. This inaction effectively condones scope creep, as the new report was not formally requested or approved through the change control process. Furthermore, it sets a dangerous precedent, encouraging other stakeholders to bypass formal channels, which can lead to uncontrolled project expansion and resource misallocation.
- ✗
Confront the executive and demand they stop contacting the team
Why it's wrong here
Directly confronting the executive and demanding they cease contact with the team is an overly aggressive and unprofessional approach that risks severely damaging crucial stakeholder relationships. While the executive's action was improper, a confrontational stance escalates conflict rather than resolving the underlying process issue. Effective project management requires diplomacy and a focus on educating stakeholders about proper protocols, not issuing demands that alienate key project supporters.
- ✓
Discuss with the executive the importance of following the change control process and update the communications management plan
Why this is correct
This is the most appropriate action because it addresses both the immediate issue and prevents future recurrences through proactive process improvement. Discussing the importance of the change control process educates the executive on proper project governance, ensuring all scope changes are formally evaluated and approved, thus maintaining project integrity. Simultaneously updating the communications management plan formalizes the correct channels for future directives, reinforcing proper stakeholder engagement and communication protocols for all project participants.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Leading Teams and Empowering Team Members
Key term
Change Control Process
A formal, structured procedure used to manage any changes to a project's scope, schedule, budget, or requirements, ensuring every modification is reviewed, approved, tested, and documented before implementation.
Key term
Project Management Plan
A formal, approved document that defines how a project is executed, monitored, controlled, and closed, serving as the single source of truth for the project team.
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