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A software team has completed a critical feature and demonstrated it to the project sponsor.
What kind of stakeholder communication was used in this scenario?
In the PMBOK Guide, communication is categorized by its level of formality and the medium used. Demonstrating a 'critical feature' to a high-level stakeholder like a Project Sponsor is a significant project event.
Why Choice B is correct:
Formal Communication: Presentations, demonstrations, and milestone reviews are considered formal. Because the team is showcasing a 'critical feature' to the sponsor, this is an official project event used to gain approval or feedback, not a casual water-cooler chat.
Verbal Communication: A live demonstration involves speaking, explaining, and responding to questions in real-time. Even if software is being shown on a screen, the primary method of conveying the value and status to the sponsor is through a verbal presentation or 'interactive' dialogue.
Scenario Application: In Agile (Sprint Reviews) or Waterfall (Phase Gate Reviews), these demonstrations are scheduled, structured meetings designed to satisfy governance requirements.
Analysis of other options:
A (Informal written): This would include instant messages, texts, or quick notes. A demonstration of a critical feature is too significant for this category.
C (Formal written): This includes project reports, contracts, or briefing documents. While a report might accompany a demo, the act of 'demonstrating' is primarily a verbal and visual interaction.
D (Informal verbal): This refers to unscheduled conversations, ad-hoc meetings, or phone calls. Demonstrating a milestone or critical feature to a sponsor is an official act of transparency and usually requires preparation, moving it into the 'formal' category.
Key Concept: The Project Management Institute (PMI) emphasizes that the project manager must match the communication type to the audience and the importance of the information. For a Project Sponsor reviewing a critical feature, Formal Verbal (Choice B) is the standard approach to ensure the sponsor understands the progress and provides the necessary buy-in for the project to continue.