PMP Practice Questions #94
As a project manager in a software development firm, you’re starting a new project. Part of your role is to establish clear escalation paths and thresholds for effective issue resolution. Which approach should you take to define these escalation paths and thresholds?
A) Use your experience from similar projects as a base, adapting them to fit the unique aspects of the current project.
B) Conduct a stakeholder analysis and review organizational processes, then agree on these paths and thresholds with key stakeholders.
C) Initially set flexible escalation paths, allowing for adjustments based on project evolution and stakeholder input.
D) Involve the project team in defining the escalation paths, aligning them with project objectives and stakeholder expectations.
Analysis:
This question revolves around establishing clear escalation paths and thresholds for a software development project. The goal is to ensure effective issue resolution by determining the best approach for defining these escalation paths.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Use your experience from similar projects as a base, adapting them to fit the unique aspects of the current project. This option suggests using past experiences as a foundation, adapting them to the current project’s specifics. While it’s valuable to leverage past learnings, this option lacks stakeholder involvement, which is crucial for governance decisions.
Option B: Conduct a stakeholder analysis and review organizational processes, then agree on these paths and thresholds with key stakeholders. This approach involves engaging stakeholders and aligning with organizational processes. It’s comprehensive, considering both external input and internal practices. This ensures the escalation paths are relevant, agreed upon, and in sync with the organization’s overall approach, making it a strong choice.
Option C: Initially set flexible escalation paths, allowing for adjustments based on project evolution and stakeholder input. Suggesting an initial flexible approach with room for adjustments based on the project’s evolution. While this offers adaptability, it may lack initial clarity and stakeholder consensus, which can be critical in governance structures.
Option D: Involve the project team in defining the escalation paths, aligning them with project objectives and stakeholder expectations. Involves the project team directly in the process. However, the primary focus of escalation paths is on stakeholder communication and organizational alignment, which this option does not fully address.
Conclusion: The best approach is Option B, which combines stakeholder analysis with a review of organizational processes. This option ensures the escalation paths and thresholds are developed collaboratively with key stakeholders, aligning with organizational standards and project specifics. It covers the essential aspects of governance and stakeholder engagement, crucial for effective project management and decision-making processes. This approach addresses the core issue by ensuring that escalation paths are not only based on past experiences or team perspectives but are tailored to the current project’s context and agreed upon by those who will be involved in or affected by these decisions.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| Process | Task 14: Establish project governance structure |
| People | Task 10: Build shared understanding |
Topics Covered
- Project Governance
- Stakeholder Engagement
