A project manager is in the process of identifying stakeholders for a software development project that is just getting underway. The organization has a project management office (PMO) that ensures all relevant project documents are created, and all project management processes are followed according to established best practices. In order to identify stakeholders for the newly started project, what should the project manager do first?

A. Review the business documents as a source of information about the project's stakeholders
B. Review the communications management plan for knowledge about the project's stakeholders
C. Review the stakeholder management plan to identify the management strategies and actions required to engage stakeholders effectively
D. Review the requirements documentation for information on potential stakeholders

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HINT: Which of the documents mentioned in the answer choices is available during the first iteration of the Identify Stakeholders process?

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Answer and Explanation
The correct answer is A.

The business documents include the business case and the benefits management plan. Both of these documents are created during pre-project work and are available as sources of information about the project's stakeholders during the first iteration of the Identify Stakeholders process. The business case identifies an initial list of stakeholders affected by the project. The benefits management plan may identify the individuals and groups that will benefit from the delivery of the outcomes of the project and are thus considered as stakeholders. Of the available options, only the business documents are available as sources of relevant information during the first iteration of the Identify Stakeholders process.

A. Review the business documents as a source of information about the project's stakeholders
Correct. The business documents include the business case and the benefits management plan. Both of these documents are created during pre-project work and are available as sources of information about the project's stakeholders during the first iteration of the Identify Stakeholders process.

B. Review the communications management plan for knowledge about the project's stakeholders
Incorrect. The communications management plan is a source of knowledge about the project's stakeholders. However, the communications management plan has yet to be created at the time of the first iteration of the Identify Stakeholders process. Therefore, this answer choice can be eliminated.

C. Review the stakeholder management plan to identify the management strategies and actions required to engage stakeholders effectively
Incorrect. The stakeholder management plan identifies the management strategies and actions required to engage stakeholders effectively. The stakeholder management plan is created during project planning which has not taken place at the initiation stage of the project.

D. Review the requirements documentation for information on potential stakeholders
Incorrect. The requirements documentation contains information on potential stakeholders. However, the requirements documentation has not been created at the time of project initiation, making this an incorrect answer.

Reference: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 509