Explain the Relationship Between Stakeholder Analysis, Influence and Engagement

Question 1

What is Stakeholder Management?

Answer 1

The systemic identification, analysis, planning and implementation of actions designed to engage with stakeholders

Question 2

Stakeholders

Answer 2

• They have a key role in defining a project’s success criteria
• Their level of interest and power should not be overlooked
• An iterative process that begins during the Concept phase and continues through the project life cycle
• It becomes more complex when stakeholders’ views change during the course of the project

Question 3

Stakeholder Management Process

Answer 3

• Identification
  > who are the project stakeholders, both supporters and opponents?
• Assess their interest and influence
  > What is the position, power, and influence of each individual stakeholder or stakeholder group?
• Develop Action Plan
  > How do we proactively manage the stakeholders so as to benefit the project?
• Engage and influence stakeholders
  > Carry out and maintain the action plans

Question 4

Stakeholder Identification

Answer 4

• The most usual method of identification is brainstorming
• Potential stakeholders may include:

> statutory and regulatory bodies 
> the performing organisation 
> the project team
> the client/ sponsor 
> suppliers and contractors 
> end users 
> people affected by the project 
> people on the side-lines who may have strong feelings about the project; both positive and negative

Question 5

Stakeholder Action Plan

Answer 5

• Planning consists of:
  > examining each stakeholder
  > trying to understand what motivates them
  > formulating a strategy to manage and influence them
• Stakeholder must be actively managed
• Their views and motivation may change
• ’ Champions’ can help manage/ influence ‘Blockers’ and organise ‘Supporters’
• Analysis must be repeated as attitudes change and new stakeholders appear