When to use it
A useful fit
Use it when a critical stakeholder is not yet able or willing to perform a needed role.
Know the limits
Do not make enthusiastic advocacy the goal for everyone. A stakeholder may reasonably disagree and still participate constructively.
How to use it
- Describe observable participation now, without diagnosing personality.
- Agree the involvement actually needed and by when.
- Find the barrier, plan an appropriate conversation or action, and check for changed behaviour.
Worked example
Operations attends demonstrations but will not accept the service. A conversation reveals that support responsibilities are unclear. The delivery lead agrees the support model and a rehearsal instead of trying to persuade operations to be more positive.
Illustrative scenario by fannarmaximus; not an official exam question.
Common pitfalls
Treating resistance as a defect can cause the team to miss valid evidence about the proposed change.
Attribution & sources
The source sheet draws on a stakeholder-engagement assessment practice described by the Project Management Institute. This page uses an independent behavioural description rather than reproducing its scale.
The citations below identify authoritative references for this topic. They do not imply endorsement or reproduce the bodies’ competence lists.
- Project Management Institute (2025). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), Eighth Edition, and The Standard for Project Management. Newtown Square, PA: PMI®. ISBN 9781628258295.
- Association for Project Management (2025). APM Body of Knowledge, 8th edition. Princes Risborough: APM. ISBN 9781913305390.