The program manager's primary role is to deliver the program's intended benefits while managing constraints. The scenario describes a classic conflict between the "iron triangle" constraints (cost, schedule) and the strategic objective (benefits). The most effective and appropriate action is to manage these competing stakeholder demands proactively. This involves a process of negotiation and making informed trade-off decisions to find an optimal balance that serves the program's overall strategic goals. This approach acknowledges the validity of all stakeholder interests while ensuring decisions are aligned with the ultimate goal of benefits realization.

A. Focusing only on internal stakeholders and their constraints would jeopardize the realization of benefits, which is the fundamental purpose of the program.

C. Focusing only on external stakeholders and benefits without regard to cost and schedule constraints is unrealistic and could lead to program failure.

D. The program manager has already evaluated the conflicting demands. A meeting to simply restate known priorities is not a resolution; the core action is to manage and resolve the conflict, which requires balancing and trade-offs.

1. Project Management Institute. (2017). The Standard for Program Management – Fourth Edition.

Supporting Correct Answer (B): Section 3.5

Program Integration Management

states

"The program manager is responsible for guiding the program team to work through these conflicts and make the necessary trade-offs among the components to achieve the desired program outcome" (p. 51). This directly supports balancing needs through trade-offs.

Supporting Incorrectness of A & C: The definition of a program emphasizes delivering benefits that are not available from managing projects individually (p. 9). This requires a holistic view

not a singular focus on either internal constraints or external benefits.

2. Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition.

Supporting Correct Answer (B): Section 1.2.4.1

Competing Constraints

notes that project managers (and by extension

program managers at a higher level) are responsible for balancing competing constraints

which include scope

quality

schedule

budget

resources

and risk

to achieve the project/program goals.

3. Thiry

M. (2007). The role of the program manager: a study of the abilities required. Project Management Journal

38(1)

53-64.

Supporting Correct Answer (B): This article emphasizes the program manager's strategic role in "value optimization." This is achieved by navigating complex stakeholder environments and making strategic trade-offs to align program components with organizational strategy and benefits realization

which is synonymous with balancing stakeholder needs. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/875697280703800106)