Consultant Recommendations for Cloud Kicks Project Manager

B

To recommend the best course of action for the project manager at Cloud Kicks, the consultant should consider the issues of missed deadlines and project meeting delays. Let's analyze each answer choice and determine the most suitable recommendation:

A. Validate that the statement of work (SOW) is realistic. This answer choice focuses on evaluating the feasibility and accuracy of the project's statement of work. The SOW outlines the project's objectives, deliverables, and timeline. Validating the SOW involves assessing whether the project's requirements and timeline are realistic and achievable. While this step is important, it may not directly address the current issues of missed deadlines and meeting delays. Therefore, this option is not the most appropriate recommendation in this context.

B. Revisit the communication plan and set up more frequent check-ins. This answer choice recognizes the importance of effective communication and proposes revisiting the communication plan to improve it. By setting up more frequent check-ins, the team can enhance collaboration and ensure that everyone is aligned and updated on the project's progress. This recommendation directly addresses the issues of missed deadlines and project meeting delays by emphasizing improved communication. It allows the project manager to stay informed about any obstacles or challenges faced by the sales team, facilitating timely intervention and corrective actions. Therefore, this option seems like a suitable recommendation in this situation.

C. Write a solution design and obtain approval. Writing a solution design and obtaining approval typically relates to the technical aspects of a project. While a well-defined solution design is essential for successful implementation, it does not directly address the issues mentioned in the question. Therefore, this answer choice is less relevant to the current situation and may not be the most appropriate recommendation.

D. Educate the customer on scope and risk management. Educating the customer on scope and risk management is important for managing expectations and ensuring a clear understanding of the project's boundaries and potential risks. However, this recommendation does not directly address the issues of missed deadlines and project meeting delays within the sales team. While it is beneficial to educate the customer, it may not resolve the current problems faced by the team. Therefore, this answer choice is not the most suitable recommendation in this scenario.

Based on the analysis above, the most appropriate recommendation for the consultant to suggest to the project manager at Cloud Kicks is: B. Revisit the communication plan and set up more frequent check-ins.

By focusing on improving communication, the team can enhance collaboration, identify and address any challenges promptly, and improve their ability to meet deadlines and attend project meetings.