Engaging stakeholders effectively is crucial to project success. Planning stakeholder engagement involves identifying the people, groups, and organizations that could affect or be affected by a project and strategizing how best to engage them. This phase is not just about listing stakeholders but also about understanding their interests, influence, and potential impact on the project.

Effective engagement starts with stakeholder analysis, where project managers assess stakeholder needs, expectations, and the level of involvement required. Tools like the stakeholder matrix help categorize stakeholders based on their power and interest in the project. From there, communication strategies are developed. High-power, high-interest stakeholders require more detailed and frequent communication, while low-power, low-interest stakeholders may only need occasional updates.

A well-constructed stakeholder engagement plan includes tailored communication methods, such as reports, meetings, or even social media updates, to keep each group informed and engaged. It’s important to continually review and adjust the plan throughout the project lifecycle, as stakeholder priorities can shift.

By proactively planning for stakeholder engagement, project managers can avoid misunderstandings, reduce resistance, and ensure stakeholder buy-in, ultimately increasing the likelihood of project success.

Joseph Phillips

PMP, PMI-ACP, ITIL, PSM, Project+, CTT+

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Effective Stakeholder Engagement

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Stakeholder Strategies

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PM TIP: Regularly revisit your stakeholder engagement plan throughout the project lifecycle. As priorities and project dynamics evolve, ensuring stakeholders stay aligned and engaged is crucial for maintaining support and preventing conflicts.

TRIVIA TIME

The correct answer to last week’s trivia question: Earned Value Management (EVM) is a project management technique that integrates scope, schedule, and cost data to assess project performance and measure the value delivered. EVM calculates key metrics such as Earned Value (EV), Planned Value (PV), and Actual Cost (AC) to determine how much of the project’s value has been delivered in relation to the costs incurred. This helps project managers track whether the project is on track regarding both schedule and budget, providing an objective measure of project performance.