What should the project manager recommend for an effective focus group meeting?

• A. Explain the objectives clearly
• B. Assign all tasks to a lead facilitator
• C. Limit participants to IT staff
• D. Schedule meetings after project kickoff

Answer: (A)

Explaining the objectives clearly sets the purpose of the focus group and guides everything that follows. When the goal is stated upfront, the moderator can design a focused discussion guide with specific questions and activities, manage time effectively, and keep the conversation aligned with what you actually want to learn. Clear objectives help participants understand why they’re there, what kind of feedback is valuable, and how their input will be used, which leads to more targeted, actionable insights and a productive session. While other practices—such as funneling all tasks to one facilitator, limiting participants to a single group, or scheduling after kickoff without clear goals—can hamper depth, breadth, or focus, clear objectives provide the essential direction for an effective focus group.