Dear Reader,
In any project, identifying the decision makers and stakeholders is crucial. These are the people who have a vested interest in the project’s outcome and can significantly influence its success. Stakeholders can range from your team members and managers to clients and consumers.
Understanding who your stakeholders are, what their interests and expectations are, and how to effectively communicate with them can make the difference between a successful project and a failed one.
Here are 3 best practices to adapt in engaging with your stakeholders:
Start with Objectives: Before you start engaging your stakeholders, set some clear objectives. What do you want to achieve from engaging with stakeholders? What measurable outcomes would you like to see for your project, organisation, or stakeholder groups? How will you know if your plan and processes are successful? Be specific and realistic about what you can achieve. (reference: https://simplystakeholders.com/stakeholder-engagement-tips/)
Follow a Plan: After setting your objectives, your next step is to make a stakeholder engagement plan. This doesn’t have to be a lengthy document — actually, a one-page plan is much more likely to get read and implemented. It mainly needs to cover the basics: Who your stakeholders are, why you need to engage them, what methods you’ll use, and what outcomes you’re aiming for. (reference: https://simplystakeholders.com/stakeholder-engagement-tips/)
Use Data-Driven Communication: Use data to tailor your communications to the specific needs of your stakeholders. By identifying the interests and needs of stakeholders, you can ensure that your messages are received and understood. (reference: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/stakeholder-management)
So, who are the stakeholders in your projects, and how can you best engage them?
Reach out to us at the Guild of Communicators Academy (academy@gocommunicators.com) if you have any questions!
For more reading from this email series:
Email 1 – Introduction to Project Management
Email 2 – Understanding Project Management
Email 3 – The Framework of Project Management
Email 4 – Identifying Decision Makers and Stakeholders
Email 5 – Creating a Project Management Plan
Email 6 – Measuring Project Success
Email 7 – Reporting and Sharing Project Success
Email 8 – Conducting an After-Action Review