131. Stakeholders in some industries prefer to deal with programmers and system analysts directly, bypassing project managers. This complicates managing resources on projects. What should the project manager do?
Answer: B
Promote adoption of the communications management plan with the project team.
To address the complications arising from stakeholders bypassing project managers, the project manager should promote the adoption of the communications management plan. This approach ensures that all team members are aligned on communication protocols, thereby streamlining interactions and resource management.
A) Propose implementing a new project management information system (PMIS).
While implementing a new PMIS could potentially improve project management, it does not directly address the immediate issue of stakeholders bypassing project managers. This option may require significant time and resources to set up and may not resolve the current communication breakdown.
B) Promote adoption of the communications management plan with the project team.
This option directly tackles the problem by ensuring that all parties understand their roles and communication expectations. By promoting the communications management plan, the project manager can facilitate better collaboration and clarify the importance of project management in resource allocation, thus reducing the likelihood of stakeholders bypassing them.
C) Host a team-building event to develop team cohesion and improve communication.
Although team-building events can enhance relationships among team members, they do not specifically address the issue of stakeholders bypassing project managers. Such events may improve overall morale but are unlikely to establish the necessary communication protocols and structures to manage project resources effectively.
D) Request a meeting with senior management to escalate the situation.
Escalating the situation to senior management may draw attention to the issue but does not provide a proactive solution to the communication breakdown. This option could lead to further delays in resolving the problem, as it shifts responsibility to higher management rather than empowering the project manager to implement effective communication strategies.
Conclusion
Promoting the adoption of the communications management plan is the most effective solution as it directly addresses the issue of stakeholders bypassing project managers. By establishing clear communication protocols, the project manager can foster an environment of collaboration and ensure that all team members, including stakeholders, recognize the importance of project management in resource allocation. All other options either do not address the core communication issue or may lead to further complications.