What are your thoughts on the following question?

A project manager is working on a hybrid project. The team performance has been suffering and multiple team members have identified one of the stakeholders as a constant obstacle. They say that the stakeholder regularly asks team members for status updates and tries to implement project changes directly through the project team.

How can the project manager improve project performance?

A.Identify the stakeholder as a risk in the risk register and work with the team on a mitigation strategy.

B.Have the team direct all project requests from the stakeholder to the project manager.

C. Work with the project management office (PMO) to remove the stakeholder from the project

D. Meet with the project sponsor to address and remove impediments and obstacles for the team.

📌 Knowledge Area:

📖 Project Stakeholder Management
(This focuses on identifying, engaging, and managing stakeholders to ensure project success.)

✅ Correct Answer:

🎯 D. Meet with the project sponsor to address and remove impediments and obstacles for the team.

📝 Explanation:

In a hybrid project, managing stakeholder engagement is crucial. Since this stakeholder is disrupting the team’s performance by bypassing formal communication channels and making unauthorized changes, the best approach is to escalate the issue to the project sponsor 👤, who has the authority to intervene and set clear boundaries.

By meeting with the sponsor, the PM can:
✔ Discuss the stakeholder's behavior and its impact on the team.
✔ Seek sponsor support in reinforcing proper communication channels.
✔ Ensure that obstacles are removed, improving overall project performance 🚀.

❌ Why Not the Other Options?

🚫 A. Identify the stakeholder as a risk in the risk register – While stakeholder influence can pose a risk, this approach is reactive and does not actively address the problem.
🚫 B. Have the team direct all project requests to the PM – This is a short-term fix but doesn’t prevent the stakeholder from continuing disruptive behavior.
🚫 C. Work with the PMO to remove the stakeholder – Not realistic; stakeholders have a role in the project, and removal is rarely an option. The goal is engagement, not elimination.

🏆 Key Mindset for Similar Questions:

🔹 Focus on Stakeholder Management & Influence – How can you proactively manage and engage stakeholders?
🔹 Think Long-Term Solutions – Address the root cause, not just symptoms.
🔹 Use Proper Escalation Channels – The project sponsor is a key escalation point for stakeholder issues.