Hybrid Project Management

11Stakeholder Engagement

The technical aspects of project management, such as working with the scope, schedule, and cost, are important, but a key factor in delivering hybrid projects successfully is the way you engage with stakeholders. Successful stakeholder engagement differentiates outstanding project leaders from good project leaders. To be successful in stakeholder engagement, you need to be an excellent communicator. This entails written and verbal communication competencies as well as meeting management skills.

In this chapter we'll identify, analyze, and record information about project stakeholders. Then we'll look at planning for successful engagement using different communication methods. A stakeholder communication plan will record our engagement and communication activities.

IDENTIFYING YOUR STAKEHOLDERS

Stakeholder engagement starts at the very beginning of a project and continues throughout the end of the project. As soon as you have your project vision or charter, you should start identifying those people and groups who are affected by your project, have expectations or needs associated with your project, or can impact your project. These people are your project stakeholders.

Stakeholder: People and groups who can affect your project or are affected by your project.

The project charter and business plans are good places to begin to identify stakeholders. The purpose, project description, and benefits will help you identify people who will be involved ...