Project managers need to secure stakeholder support early on to help work proceed smoothly. Creating a stakeholder engagement strategy involves four principal steps - Define, Analyze, Plan and Engage.

1. F O U R S T E P S F O R I M P R O V E D
S T A K E H O L D E R E N G A G E M E N T

2. WHO ARE PROJECT
STAKEHOLDERS?

3. STAKEHOLDERS
Any person or group of people who
have an interest in, can influence
or will be affected by any planned
changes in an organization

4. WHY ARE PROJECT
STAKEHOLDERS IMPORTANT?

5. STAKEHOLDERS:
H e l p t o s e c u r e b u y - i n a t a l l
l e v e l s
P r o v i d e e x p e r t i s e a n d
k n o w l e d g e
A s s i s t w i t h r e s o u r c e
m a n a g e m e n t
O f f e r o n g o i n g f e e d b a c k ,
c o l l a b o r a t i o n a n d s u p p o r t
F a c i l i t a t e s u c c e s s f u l p r o j e c t s .

6. READY TO WIN OVER YOUR
PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS?

7. D E F I N E A N A L Y Z E E N G A G EP L A N
4 STEPS TO STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

8. STEP 1: DEFINE

9. Start with a list of any
individuals or groups that
you think are affected by or
can impact upon the project
in some way.

10. This can include:
- The customer
- Your team
- Project Management Office (PMO)
- Teams within the organization, for example, sales
- Partners
- Shareholders
- Suppliers
- Project sponsor
- Any interest groups.

11. STEP 2: ANALYZE

12. You now have an extensive list of project stakeholders.
You need to analyze and classify your list as:
It is not possible or effective to engage with each stakeholder in
the same way.
- High power, high interest
- High power, less interest
- Low power, high interest
- Low power, low interest.

13. Decide the best engagement and communication tools
for each group using an influence/interest grid.

14. Keep
Satisfied
Manage
Closely
Monitor Keep Informed
Influence
Interest

15. STEP 3: PLAN

16. Key to your strategy is understanding your stakeholders.
Here is a list of questions to get started:
- Are they fully aware of the planned project?
- What is their vision of the project once it is fully or successfully
implemented?
- How will the project outcome impact upon their work?
- What motivates them?
- How do they like to stay up-to-date with projects?
- Have you or a member of your team worked with these stakeholders
before?

17. You should also think about:
C O M M U N I C A T I O N
M E T R I C S
R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
How you will manage conflicting views and
expectations?
Communication types and frequency, for
example, reports, workshops or meetings.
Who will be responsible for managing each
communications? Is it possible to use
automated reports?
What are the measurements of success?
CONFLICT

18. STEP 4: ENGAGE

19. I M P L E M E N T
M E A S U R E
I N V O L V E
Implement your plan and schedule of
communication activities
Involve your stakeholders early and often. Use
reports to keep your stakeholders informed
and up-to-date
Remember to evaluate your strategy and make
changes if required

20. SUMMARY
Build a good relationship with
stakeholders using four steps:
1. Define and Identify Your Stakeholders
2. Analyze Your Stakeholders
3. Plan Your Strategy
4. Engage Your Stakeholders.

21. Collaborative Project
Management: A
Handbook
www.brightwork.com
Download more project management tips in our free