An external environment impact assessment evaluates how external factors (market, social, regulatory) influence the change. ACMP identifies business case, vision statement, and strategic plan as critical inputs. The business case explains rationale and benefits, the vision provides direction, and the strategic plan ensures alignment. Stakeholder analysis (A, B) is internal, while risk plans (D) address implementation risks. Therefore, option C is correct.

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 1 – Evaluate; Activity: Assess external environment using strategic, vision, and business case inputs.)

Sustaining positive outcomes requires capturing and applying lessons learned. ACMP defines the lessons learned evaluation as a closure activity that not only reflects on performance but also shares insights for sustaining gains and improving future initiatives. Revising objectives (B), vision (C), or communication methods (D) may help but do not institutionalize learning. Option A ensures sustainability through reflection and sharing of best practices.

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 5 – Close; Activity: Conduct lessons learned to sustain improvements and build organizational capability.)

ACMP emphasizes that project and change plans must be aligned , not competing or siloed. Alignment ensures technical deliverables (project management) and people-focused activities (change management) reinforce each other, avoiding duplication and confusion. Making one plan the “master” (A, B) risks imbalance, while independence (C) causes misalignment. Thus, the correct approach is option D — alignment between project and change management plans.

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 2 – Integration; Activity: Align change management and project management plans to increase efficiency and reduce duplication.)

At closure, ACMP requires practitioners to conduct a lessons learned evaluation , documenting successes, challenges, and recommendations. This evaluation informs future change initiatives by providing a repository of best practices and pitfalls to avoid . A risk log (A) captures risks during execution but does not focus on future learning. The charter (B) and change management plan (C) are current-project tools, not future-facing. Therefore, the lessons learned evaluation (D) is the document explicitly created for future guidance .

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 5 – Close; Activities: Document lessons learned and share across the organization.)

Execution means carrying out the work defined in the plan. According to ACMP, this includes delivering communications, stakeholder engagement activities, training and development, resistance management, and measurement activities. Monitoring and controlling (A) is a project management function but not the primary purpose. Providing guidance (C) and clarifying roles (D) are important but achieved through earlier planning. Execution ensures that resources and strategies are applied in practice to achieve adoption and benefits realization.

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 4 – Execute the Change Management Plan; Core outcome: Implement planned activities for adoption and benefits.)

Subject matter expertise is a resource requirement . If expertise is unavailable, the resource plan is impacted, since this plan defines roles, skills, and availability required to support the change. Risk mitigation (B) may eventually address consequences, but the direct plan affected is the resource plan. Learning (A) and sustainability (D) come later, after execution and adoption.

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 3 – Develop Resource Plan; Identify skill requirements, assign resources, and address gaps in expertise.)

The change management plan details the scope of people-related activities, controls for governance, and monitoring methods for adoption and benefits realization. ACMP differentiates between the strategy (D), which defines the overarching approach, and the plan (C), which provides actionable detail. Project management plans (A) cover deliverables, not adoption. Business models (B) address strategic design, not execution controls. Thus, option C is correct.

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 3 – Develop Plan; Outputs: Scope, monitoring, and controls for change activities.)

Stakeholder analysis is the process of systematically identifying individuals and groups who are affected by the change and who have influence over its success. ACMP positions this as a foundational evaluation activity that informs communications, engagement, resistance management, and sponsorship strategy. Competency assessment focuses on skill gaps, sponsor assessment evaluates sponsor readiness, and learning needs analysis determines training requirements. The broad impact–influence mapping required here is stakeholder analysis.

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 1 – Evaluate; Activities: Conduct stakeholder analysis and assess influence and impact.)

To embed change, the business case serves as a foundational input because it defines the rationale, expected benefits, and alignment with organizational priorities. ACMP explains that embedding strategies should link to the original business rationale to ensure reinforcement mechanisms support intended outcomes. Resources (A) and communications (D) are useful tools, and key messages (B) guide communication, but they are not the anchor. The business case ensures alignment with organizational value.

(Reference: ACMP Standard, Process Group 4 – Sustainability Plan; Input: Business case to connect reinforcement to expected benefits.)

The sponsor is the accountable executive who owns the outcomes and benefit realization, secures resources, resolves cross-functional issues, and models commitment. Enthusiasm and understanding are helpful, but accountability is the defining characteristic in ACMP guidance. (Reference: ACMP Standard, Sponsorship—accountability for change success; Process Groups 2–4: Sponsorship strategy and engagement .)