The sponsor approved the project charter and business case, but the project manager is unsure whether the intended benefits align with the organization's strategic objectives. What should the project manager do first?

The project manager's primary responsibility is to ensure the project delivers value aligned with organizational objectives. Even with an approved charter, if there's uncertainty about strategic alignment, the project manager must proactively seek clarification. Meeting with the sponsor, who approved the charter and business case, is the most direct and effective way to understand the intended strategic benefits and resolve this uncertainty. Starting execution without clarity risks delivering a project that doesn't meet strategic goals. Proposing revisions without first understanding the current alignment is premature. Conducting risk analysis is important, but understanding strategic alignment takes precedence as it defines the project's fundamental purpose and potential benefits, which in turn influence risk assessment.