A business stakeholder for a project is reluctant to accept an agile approach due to a previous bad experience, and is pushing for a predictive approach. What strategy should the project manager use to persuade the stakeholder to use an agile approach?
Correct Answer: A
According to the Agile Practice Guide, one of the benefits of agile approaches is that they enable early and frequent delivery of value to the customer and stakeholders1. This can help to build trust and collaboration among the project team and the stakeholders, and also to validate and adapt the project requirements and solutions2. Therefore, the project manager should propose a phased project approach with multiple small interactions and build trust with the stakeholder through frequent value delivery. This will help the stakeholder to see the benefits of agile and overcome their reluctance. The other options are incorrect because:
* B. Documenting the request and escalating to upper management to consider a modification of the project charter is not a persuasive strategy, but a confrontational one. It may create resistance and conflict with the stakeholder, and also undermine the project manager's authority and credibility3.
* C. Agreeing on a predictive approach, but applying agile concepts under the project management umbrella is not a transparent or ethical strategy. It may confuse and mislead the stakeholder, and also create inconsistency and ambiguity in the project management processes and practices4.
* D. Ensuring the stakeholder that an agile approach will deliver all of the expected results in a shorter period of time is not a realistic or honest strategy. It may create unrealistic expectations and pressure on the project team, and also ignore the uncertainty and complexity of the project environment5. References:
* 1: Agile Practice Guide, Chapter 2, Section 2.1, page 13
* 2: Agile Practice Guide, Chapter 2, Section 2.2, page 14
* 3: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, Chapter 13, Section 13.3.2.3, page 524
* 4: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, Chapter 1, Section 1.2.3, page 7
* 5: Agile Practice Guide, Chapter 2, Section 2.3, page 15