Some thoughts on stakeholders and stakeholder management.

TYPICAL STAKEHOLDERS IN A BUSINESS OR TECHNOLOGY CHANGE PROJECT

1. Project Sponsor: The individual or group accountable for the overall success of the project.
2. Project Manager: The individual responsible for overseeing the day-to-day progress of the project.
3. Business Analysts: Individuals responsible for understanding the business requirements and working with stakeholders to develop the project scope.
4. Business/Technology Subject Matter Experts: Individuals with deep knowledge of the business and/or technology being impacted by the project.
5. Project Team Members: Individuals responsible for performing the work required to complete the project.
6. End Users: Individuals who will be using the new system or technology.
7. Quality Assurance Testers: Individuals responsible for ensuring that the product meets the quality standards.
8. IT Support Teams: Individuals responsible for maintaining and supporting the new system or technology.
9. Executive Leadership: Senior leaders in the organization who are ultimately responsible for the success of the project.

TYPICAL WAYS OF ENGAING THESE STAKEHOLDERS

1. Communication: Establishing open lines of communication between all stakeholders is essential for successful engagement. This can include regular meetings, email updates, and other forms of communication.

2. Involvement: Involving stakeholders at every stage of the project, from planning to implementation, is key to successful engagement. This can include providing feedback on project plans, participating in decision-making, and giving input on project design.

3. Listening: Listening to stakeholders’ concerns, ideas, and feedback is critical to engaging them successfully. Taking the time to understand their perspectives can help ensure that their needs are taken into account.

4. Recognition: Acknowledging stakeholders’ contributions and recognizing their efforts is an important part of engaging them. This can include public recognition, awards, and other forms of appreciation.

5. Transparency: Keeping stakeholders informed about the project’s progress and any changes is essential for successful engagement. Providing regular updates and making sure that stakeholders have access to the right information is important.

KEY MODELS FOR STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

1. Power/Interest Grid: This model classifies stakeholders into four categories based on their power and interest in the project. It is used to identify which stakeholders should be engaged, and how to best engage them.

2. Salience Model: This model classifies stakeholders into four categories based on their relevance to the project. It is used to determine which stakeholders should be engaged, and how to prioritize their engagement.

3. Stakeholder Circle: This model involves mapping stakeholders in a circle and assigning them a “distance” from the project based on their interest and influence. This helps to identify which stakeholders should be engaged, and how to prioritize their engagement.

4. Influence/Impact Grid: This model classifies stakeholders into four categories based on their influence and impact on the project. It is used to determine who should be engaged, and how to engage them.