During program execution, a program manager receives feedback from an executive sponsor that some program stakeholders may not understand the intended benefits of the program. Which will provide the greatest value to clarify stakeholder perceptions?

The core issue identified by the executive sponsor is a communication failure: stakeholders do not understand the program's intended benefits. The most effective and valuable action is to address the root cause of this misunderstanding. Updating the stakeholder communications requirements, which is a key component of the Program Communications Management Plan, allows the program manager to tailor the message content, delivery method, and frequency to specifically clarify the benefits. This is a proactive, targeted approach that directly addresses the identified gap in stakeholder understanding, ensuring future communications are more effective.

A. Performing a stakeholder analysis is done to identify stakeholders and their interests. The issue here is not a lack of identification but a failure in communication with already-known stakeholders.
C. Redistributing the benefits management plan is a passive action. If stakeholders did not understand the plan initially, simply sending it again is unlikely to resolve the misunderstanding.
D. Redistributing the program charter is ineffective as it is a high-level authorization document from the program's start. It lacks the detailed information needed to clarify benefits during execution. ---

1. Project Management Institute. (2017). The Standard for Program Management (4th ed.).

Section 3.2

Program Stakeholder Engagement

p. 47: This performance domain emphasizes that "Program stakeholder engagement includes the processes required to identify stakeholders

analyze stakeholder expectations and their impact on the program

and develop appropriate management strategies for effectively engaging stakeholders in program decisions and execution." The feedback indicates a need to adjust the management strategy

which is accomplished through revised communications.

Section 4.4

Program Communications Management

p. 69: This section states that communications planning involves determining "the information and communications needs of the stakeholders." The sponsor's feedback is a direct input that these needs are not being met

necessitating a review and update of the communications plan and its requirements to ensure clarity.

Section 3.2.3

Manage Program Stakeholder Engagement

p. 51: "Managing stakeholder engagement is the process of communicating and working with stakeholders to meet their needs/expectations [and] address issues as they occur..." The misunderstanding of benefits is an issue that must be addressed by adjusting the communication approach.