Member Register in Stakeholder Identification

PMBOK v8 Definition

The Member Register is a project document that captures stakeholder identification information, assessment information, and stakeholder classification. According to PMBOK v8, it includes identification information (name, organizational position, location, contact details, and role on the project), assessment information (major requirements, expectations, potential for influencing project outcomes, and the phase of the project life cycle where the stakeholder has the most influence or impact), and stakeholder classification (internal/external, impact/influence/power/interest, upward/downward/outward/sideward, or any other classification model chosen by the project manager). This register is an input to the Manage Project Knowledge process and other stakeholder-related processes.

Why It Matters for the Exam

The Member Register appears frequently on the PMI exam in questions about stakeholder identification, classification, and engagement planning. It is tested in scenario-based questions where you must determine what information belongs in the register versus other project documents, and in process-related questions about which inputs are required for specific processes like Manage Project Knowledge.

Key Points to Remember (for the exam)

• Three Information Categories: The Member Register contains (1) Identification information, (2) Assessment information, and (3) Stakeholder classification
• Main Input To: Manage Project Knowledge process (as part of project documents)
• Key Classification Models: Internal/external, impact/influence/power/interest, upward/downward/outward/sideward
• Assessment Focus: Major requirements, expectations, potential for influencing project outcomes, and most influential phase of the project life cycle
• Common Confusion: The Member Register is NOT the same as the Stakeholder Register - it is a specific component that contains detailed stakeholder data
• Life Cycle Phase: Document when each stakeholder has the most influence or impact on the project
• Role Documentation: Always include the specific role on the project, not just organizational position

Typical PMI Exam Example

A project manager is identifying stakeholders for a new infrastructure project. The project sponsor has high authority but low involvement in daily activities. The community representatives have high interest but low formal power. Which classification model would best capture these relationships?

Answer: Impact/influence/power/interest classification model, as it captures both formal power and interest levels of different stakeholder groups.

PMI Exam Traps

• Trap: Confusing the Member Register with the Stakeholder Register

  • Reality: The Member Register contains detailed identification, assessment, and classification data; the Stakeholder Register is a broader document that may reference the Member Register

• Trap: Thinking assessment information only includes requirements

  • Reality: Assessment information includes requirements, expectations, potential for influencing outcomes, AND the phase of most influence/impact

• Trap: Assuming only one classification model is correct

  • Reality: PMBOK v8 allows multiple models: internal/external, impact/influence/power/interest, upward/downward/outward/sideward, or any other model chosen by the project manager

• Trap: Forgetting the Member Register is an input to Manage Project Knowledge

  • Reality: The Member Register is listed as a project document input to Manage Project Knowledge, not just stakeholder identification processes

Important PMI Connections

Quick Review Questions

1. What three categories of information must be included in the Member Register according to PMBOK v8?

2. Which classification models are explicitly mentioned in PMBOK v8 for stakeholder classification in the Member Register?

3. What specific assessment information about stakeholder influence must be documented in the Member Register?

4. In which process is the Member Register listed as a project document input?

5. What is the difference between identification information and assessment information in the Member Register?

PMBOK v8 Reference

Section 4 – Inputs and Outputs (Pages 141-142) - Stakeholder Register and Member Register documentation requirements