Develop the quality management plan, as quality is as equally important as cost and schedule management.

A quality management plan is a document that describes how the project team will ensure that the project deliverables meet the quality standards and expectations of the customer and other stakeholders1. Quality is not only about the final product, but also about the processes and activities that produce it2. A quality management plan defines the quality methodology, standards, criteria, activities, tools, resources, reporting, and corrective actions that will be applied throughout the project life cycle to achieve quality objectives3. A quality management plan is important because it helps the project manager and the project team to:

Align the project scope with the customer requirements and needs.
Prevent or minimize defects, errors, and rework.
Enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Improve team performance and collaboration.
Reduce project risks and costs.
Increase project value and benefits Therefore, the project manager should develop the quality management plan, as quality is as equally important as cost and schedule management. Quality is one of the key constraints of the project management triangle, along with scope, time, and cost4. Balancing these constraints is essential for delivering a successful project that meets the expectations of the customer and other stakeholders. Ignoring or compromising quality can have negative impacts on the project outcome, such as poor functionality, usability, reliability, or security of the software product, or low customer satisfaction, trust, or retention. The project manager should also communicate the importance of quality to the team member who complains about quality control, and explain how quality control activities, such as testing, inspection, or review, can help them identify and correct any issues or defects in their work, and ensure that they deliver a high-quality product that meets the customer’s needs and expectations.

References:
The Quality Management Plan in Project Management | ProjectManager.com
What is Quality Management? - Definition from WhatIs.com
What is a Quality Management Plan (QMP) - AcqNotes
Project Management Triangle - Time, Cost and Quality - Iron Triangle
[Why Quality Matters in Software Development - DZone Agile]

Manage the project sponsor closely and revise the project's resource management plan to improve indicators

According to the PMBOK Guide, the schedule performance index (SPI) and the cost performance index (CPI) are two key indicators of the project performance measurement1. The SPI measures how efficiently the project team is using the time allocated for the project, while the CPI measures how efficiently the project team is using the resources allocated for the project1. An SPI or CPI value greater than 1 indicates that the project is ahead of schedule or under budget, respectively. An SPI or CPI value less than 1 indicates that the project is behind schedule or over budget, respectively1. In this question, the project manager notices that the SPI is 1.8 and the CPI is 0.1, which means that the project is ahead of schedule but over budget. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, as it may jeopardize the project viability and stakeholder satisfaction. The project manager should not ignore the project sponsor’s concern, as the project sponsor is the person who provides the financial resources and support for the project2. The project manager should also not assume that it is normal to spend more money in the design phase of a project, as this may indicate poor planning, estimation, or control of the project costs3. The project manager should not stop crashing the schedule, as this may affect the project scope, quality, or risk. The project manager should not use a resource-levelling technique, as this may delay the project completion and increase the project costs. The best option for the project manager is to manage the project sponsor closely and revise the project’s resource management plan to improve indicators. This means that the project manager should communicate frequently and transparently with the project sponsor, explain the reasons for the cost overrun, and seek their input and approval for any corrective actions. The project manager should also review and update the project’s resource management plan, which is the document that describes how the project resources will be estimated, acquired, managed, and controlled. The project manager should identify and implement strategies to reduce the project costs, such as optimizing the resource allocation, negotiating better rates, or eliminating unnecessary activities or resources. By managing the project sponsor closely and revising the project’s resource management plan, the project manager can improve the project performance indicators and increase the chances of delivering the project within the approved budget.

References:
1: PMBOK Guide, Chapter 7, Section 7.4.2.1, Page 267
2: PMBOK Guide, Chapter 13, Section 13.1.2.1, Page 518
3: 5 Essential Tips for Schedule Control in Project Management
4: PMBOK Guide, Chapter 6, Section 6.6.2.5, Page 215
5: PMBOK Guide, Chapter 6, Section 6.4.2.5, Page 201
6: Guide to Project Budgeting & Scheduling
7: PMBOK Guide, Chapter 9, Section 9.1.3.1, Page 313
8: How to Make a Project Budget: Project Budgeting Basics

Discuss with the stakeholder the benefits of the hybrid project and how frequent reviews lead to greater value and less rework

Explanation
Some of the other options are not appropriate because:

A. Negotiate a reduced review attendance with the stakeholder and update the stakeholder engagement plan to reflect this reduced. This option may compromise the quality and effectiveness of the reviews, as the stakeholder may miss important information, feedback, or decisions. It may also create a perception of low priority or commitment from the stakeholder, which can affect the trust and relationship with the project team3. The stakeholder engagement plan should reflect the optimal level of engagement for each stakeholder, not the minimum4.

C. Record the issue in the issue log and escalate the conflict to the project sponsor for assistance. This option may be too drastic and premature, as the issue may not be a serious conflict that requires escalation. Escalation should be used as a last resort, when the project manager cannot resolve the issue by themselves or with the stakeholder5. Escalation may also damage the rapport and communication with the stakeholder, as it may imply that the project manager is unable to handle the situation or respect the stakeholder’s perspective.

D. Explain to the stakeholder that the stakeholder engagement plan requires their attendance at all reviews. This option may sound too rigid and authoritative, as it does not acknowledge the stakeholder’s concern or provide any justification for the frequency of the reviews. It may also create a sense of resentment or resistance from the stakeholder, who may feel that they are being forced to comply with a plan that they do not agree with or understand. The stakeholder engagement plan should be a flexible and collaborative tool, not a rigid and imposed one4.

I hope this information helps you with your query. However, I suggest that you consult the official PMP and PBA reference materials and guides for more accurate and reliable information. Thank you for using Bing.

References:
1: Agile Manifesto Principles
2: Hybrid Project Management: What is it, Methodology & Software - Teamhood
3: Stakeholder Engagement: How to Keep Stakeholders Happy
4: Plan Stakeholder Engagement
5: Escalate Issues to Project Sponsor : [How to Escalate Project Issues Without Damaging Relationships] : [How to Deal with Difficult Stakeholders]

Review and update the stakeholder engagement plan

The stakeholder engagement plan is a component of the project management plan that identifies the strategies and actions required to promote productive involvement of stakeholders in project decisions and activities1. The project manager should review and update the stakeholder engagement plan to address the needs and expectations of the newly appointed technical manager, who is a key stakeholder for the project. The project manager should also communicate with the technical manager to understand the information gaps and provide the necessary updates on the project deliverables. Updating the issue log and escalating to the project sponsor (option A) may not be the best first action, as it could create unnecessary conflict and damage the relationship with the client. Identifying the lack of information as a risk and updating the risk register (option B) is not appropriate, as the situation is not a potential uncertain event that could affect the project objectives, but rather a current issue that needs to be resolved. Scheduling more frequent meetings with the technical manager (option C) may help to improve the communication, but it does not address the root cause of the problem, which is the inadequate stakeholder engagement plan.

References:

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2017, p. 518.

The WBS dictionary

The project manager should review the WBS dictionary, as this is a document that provides detailed information about each element in the work breakdown structure (WBS). The WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into smaller and manageable components, called work packages. The WBS dictionary is a complementary document that describes the scope, deliverables, activities, resources, costs, risks, and quality requirements of each work package. The WBS dictionary helps the project manager and the project team to understand the work that needs to be done, and to avoid scope creep or ambiguity1. By reviewing the WBS dictionary, the project manager can identify what useful information is missing, and update it accordingly.

The other options, the project charter and scope statement, the requirements traceability matrix, and the business requirement documents (BRD), are not the best documents to review in this situation. The project charter and scope statement are high-level documents that define the project purpose, objectives, scope, deliverables, assumptions, constraints, and stakeholders. They do not provide detailed information about the work packages or the work breakdown structure2. The requirements traceability matrix is a document that links the project requirements to the project objectives, deliverables, and test cases. It helps to ensure that the project meets the stakeholder expectations and the business needs. It does not provide detailed information about the work packages or the work breakdown structure3. The business requirement documents (BRD) are documents that describe the business problem, the solution, and the benefits of the project. They do not provide detailed information about the work packages or the work breakdown structure4.

References: 1 A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Chapter 5.4.2.3 2 A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Chapter 4.1.3.1 and 5.3.3.1 3 Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, Chapter 4.3.4 4 Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, Chapter 2.2.2

Use lessons learned from the previous project as a guide for the current project's stakeholder register

According to the PMBOK Guide, the project manager should identify the project stakeholders by using various sources of information, such as historical records, organizational charts, stakeholder registers, and lessons learned from previous projects. Lessons learned from previous projects can provide valuable insights into the stakeholder’s expectations, needs, interests, influence, and potential impact on the project. By using lessons learned from the previous project as a guide, the project manager can create a more accurate and comprehensive stakeholder register for the current project, which will help in planning and managing stakeholder engagement. References: PMBOK Guide, 6th edition, page 511-512, section 13.1.1.2 Identify Stakeholders: Data Gathering.

Customized stakeholder communications based on the stakeholders’ needs

According to the Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Guide, stakeholder communication is the process of planning, managing, and monitoring the exchange of information among project stakeholders.

Stakeholder communication should be customized based on the stakeholders’ needs, preferences, expectations, and level of involvement. In this scenario, the project manager should have customized stakeholder communications based on the key stakeholder’s needs. This would have helped the project manager to keep the key stakeholder informed, engaged, and satisfied throughout the project, and to address any issues, concerns, or feedback that the key stakeholder may have. This would have also helped to avoid the situation where the key stakeholder rejected a feature deliverable due to lack of involvement or awareness. Involved the key stakeholders in the decision-making process, analyzed the changes in stakeholder attributes, or documented the project vision and objectives are actions that should be taken as part of the stakeholder communication plan, not as a substitute for it. These actions do not address the root cause of the situation, which is the inadequate stakeholder communication. 

References: (Professional in Business Analysis Reference Materials source and documents):

Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Guide, Chapter 2, Section 2.4.1.1
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Seventh Edition, Chapter 10, Section 10.2.2.1
The Standard for Project Management – Seventh Edition, Chapter 3, Section 3.2.2.1

A release burndown chart

Explanation
A release burndown chart is a tool that shows the amount of work remaining in a project over time, based on the estimated effort and the actual progress of the team. It can help the project manager and the steering committee to monitor the project performance, identify any deviations from the plan, and adjust the scope, schedule, or resources accordingly. A release burndown chart can also provide an indication of the time remaining on a medium-sized project by comparing the ideal and the actual burndown lines, and projecting the completion date based on the current velocity and the remaining work. A release burndown chart is especially useful for agile projects that work in short iterations, as it can reflect the changes in the backlog and the scope due to feedback, reprioritization, or new requirements. 

References:
PMBOK Guide, Sixth Edition, Chapter 6, Section 6.7.2.1 
What is a Burndown Chart? by Agile Alliance
Burndown Chart: What it is, How to Use it, Example by Asana
Burnup Chart - Sprint & Release Tracking by Tech Agilist

Implement plans to remove the obstacles

Explanation:

This is because the project manager should take action to resolve the issues that are hindering the project progress, rather than avoiding them, escalating them, or delaying them. Implementing plans to remove the obstacles may involve using a variety of problem-solving strategies, such as root cause analysis, brainstorming, negotiation, conflict resolution, and risk management3.

The other options are not the best choices because:

A.    Have the project team work on other activities: This is a passive and ineffective approach that does not address the root cause of the problem. It may also create more issues in the future, such as rework, schedule delays, scope creep, and quality defects.

C.    Escalate to the project steering committee: This is a last resort option that should only be used when the project manager has exhausted all other means to remove the obstacles. Escalating to the project steering committee may indicate a lack of authority, responsibility, or competence of the project manager. It may also create unnecessary bureaucracy, conflict, and delay in the decision-making process.

D.    Prioritize the obstacles for resolution: This is a necessary but not sufficient step to remove the obstacles. Prioritizing the obstacles helps the project manager to focus on the most critical and urgent issues, but it does not guarantee that they will be resolved. The project manager still needs to implement plans to remove the obstacles after prioritizing them.

I hope this helps you with your question. If you need more information, you can visit the following links:
[PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP) certification]
[PMI’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 7th edition]
6 Obstacles to Any Project and How to Clear Them
Impediments, Obstacles, and Blockers: How to Address and Remove Them
5 Ways to Overcome Project Obstacles

Set up a meeting with the sponsor to explain the importance of keeping a strict sprint cycle

According to the PMBOK Guide, a sprint cycle is a time-boxed iteration of a fixed duration that delivers a potentially releasable product increment. A sprint cycle consists of four events: sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, and sprint retrospective. The purpose of a sprint cycle is to create a rhythm of work that allows the team to deliver value to the customer in a predictable and sustainable way.

The PMI Guide to Business Analysis states that one of the roles of a project manager is to manage stakeholder expectations and ensure alignment of project objectives with business needs. The project manager is also responsible for facilitating communication and collaboration among the project team and other stakeholders, as well as resolving conflicts and issues that may arise during the project.

Therefore, if the project sponsor is consistently changing the prioritization of modular work packages, the project manager should set up a meeting with the sponsor to explain the importance of keeping a strict sprint cycle. The project manager should:

Clarify the project scope and objectives, and how they are aligned with the business needs and the sponsor’s vision.

Explain the benefits of a sprint cycle, such as delivering value faster, improving quality, increasing feedback, and reducing risk.

Highlight the challenges and risks of changing the scope frequently, such as disrupting the team’s workflow, reducing their morale and motivation, increasing technical debt, and compromising the quality and usability of the product.

Negotiate with the sponsor to establish a clear and stable prioritization criteria for the work packages, and agree on a process for managing changes and requests.

Involve the project team and the product owner in the prioritization and planning process, and ensure their input and feedback are considered and valued.

Document and communicate the agreed scope, priorities, and changes to all the stakeholders, and monitor and control the project performance and progress.

By setting up a meeting with the sponsor to explain the importance of keeping a strict sprint cycle, the project manager can:

Build trust and rapport with the sponsor, and demonstrate their understanding and respect for the sponsor’s perspective and needs.

Educate the sponsor about the agile principles and practices, and how they can help achieve the project goals and deliver value to the customer.

Influence the sponsor to adopt a more collaborative and flexible approach to the project, and to respect the team’s autonomy and expertise.

Minimize the impact of scope changes on the project schedule, budget, quality, and risk.

Enhance the team’s morale and teamwork, and foster a positive and supportive work environment.

References:
PMBOK Guide. (2017). Sixth edition. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
PMI Guide to Business Analysis. (2017). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
How to Manage Scope Creep in Agile Projects. (2023). ProjectManager.com.
How to Deal with Constantly Changing Requirements. (2023). Scrum.org.