Understanding the Difference Between Stakeholder Requirements and Expectations

Michael asked a thoughtful question about why the PMBOK Guide treats stakeholder requirements and expectations as separate concepts. The community explained that while requirements are formal, documented needs that define project success, expectations are often unwritten assumptions that influence stakeholder satisfaction. Managing the two effectively means setting clear boundaries early while maintaining ongoing communication to align perceptions with deliverables. This distinction highlights the human side of project management—where success isn’t just meeting the scope but meeting expectations too.

Explore how experienced PMs balance stakeholder needs and perceptions—and share your own approach.

PMP Exam Sample Question

In a pharmaceutical project, human trials have been started. The CEO is thrilled about the success of the trials up to this point. She announces that the size of the patient pool for the trials should double from the one originally planned and results tracked in the new system launching this week.

What should the project manager do first?

A. Ramp up production to match the demand of the CEO
B. Consider what might be included in a change request
C. Adjust the scope baseline to reflect the increased trial size
D. Communicate the change in the scope to the project stakeholders 

Featured Video of The Week

This webinar is based on our original article 8 Project Performance Domains - The Project Management Expert's Guide, and is neither a rehash nor is it a derivative of the PMBOK® Guide. Instead, you can expect to go beyond. Illustrated with quotes from experts and examples from real life not found in the guide, you will learn the concepts behind the domains in terms you need to understand as you prepare for your PMP exam. We even reviewed one sample PMP exam prep question (taken from the PrepCast Simulator) for each domain and gave you a chance to see if you could spot the correct answer.