Which of the following statements best describes stakeholders in a project?

• A. They are internal team members only with no external input.
• B. They are external vendors who always veto decisions.
• C. They are individuals or groups affected by the project; their requirements and feedback guide decisions.
• D. They are unrelated to project outcomes.

Answer: (C)

Stakeholders are individuals or groups affected by a project and whose requirements and feedback guide decision-making. They can include customers, end users, sponsors, project team members, suppliers, regulators, and anyone with an interest in the outcome. Their input helps shape what is built, how it’s delivered, and whether the project delivers real value, so engagement with them is essential. The idea that stakeholders are only internal team members misses external parties who are affected; the notion that they always veto decisions overstates their control, since input should inform but not automatically block decisions; and the claim that they are unrelated to project outcomes is simply incorrect because outcomes directly impact these people and groups.