A new project manager is creating a time-sensitive social media strategy and the stakeholder communications management plan for a software company that is now fully remote. An existing standard operating procedure (SOP) describes how communications should occur. How should the project manager proceed?

The correct approach is to assess the existing SOP for relevancy, update it as needed to fit the current project's specific requirements (especially considering the new remote work environment and time-sensitive nature), and then circulate it to stakeholders for their input during the planning phase. This ensures the communications plan is tailored, effective, and has stakeholder buy-in. Following the SOP blindly and escalating changes later is reactive and inefficient. Using it as a baseline and updating during monitoring and controlling is too late for effective planning. Ignoring it completely is poor project management practice, as it disregards organizational process assets.