A complex project in execution has a new key stakeholder who has not been approving deliverables, risking project progress. What should the project manager do next?

The project manager's immediate priority is to understand the root cause of the stakeholder's non-approval. Meeting directly with the stakeholder allows for open communication, active listening, and the identification of concerns, misunderstandings, or unmet expectations. This direct engagement is crucial for finding a resolution and maintaining project progress. Capturing it in the issue log and escalating to the sponsor is premature without first understanding the situation. Escalation should be a later step if direct engagement fails. Discussing influence with the sponsor is also premature; the project manager should first attempt to influence the stakeholder directly. Facilitating a brainstorming session for workarounds bypasses the core problem of stakeholder non-approval and may not address the underlying issue.