During initiation for a 9-month project, the project manager said a specific task would be off schedule. At kickoff, a key stakeholder objected, saying that task is the project's main value and must be on time. What should the project manager do to reduce the likelihood of strong stakeholder rejection during initiation?

Arranging advance meetings with key stakeholders allows the project manager to proactively gather feedback and understand expectations regarding the project scope, including critical tasks. This early engagement helps identify and address potential conflicts or misunderstandings before the project formally kicks off, reducing the likelihood of strong objections later. Preparing a stakeholder-engagement assessment matrix is a useful tool for planning engagement, but it doesn't directly facilitate feedback collection or conflict resolution before kickoff. Sending a letter outlining scope and start date is a one-way communication that doesn't allow for immediate feedback or discussion. Recording potential stakeholder rejection as a risk is a reactive measure; while important for risk management, it doesn't prevent the issue from occurring in the first place.