“I’ve hit a snag in my project. There are some unexpected hurdles cropping up due to the involvement of many members.”

AK started interacting with his project stakeholders and is trying to understand how to build strong relationships and trust with them. He is bringing it up to GK during their coffee meeting.

AK: “Can you help me navigate through this?”
GK: “Absolutely. Stakeholder engagement is often the unsung hero in project success.”

AK: “Why is it so important?”
GK: “Helps us in making more informed decisions and ensures that their interests are taken into consideration.”

AK: “Where do I even begin? It feels like I’m missing some crucial pieces in this puzzle.”
GK: “First, perform a thorough stakeholder analysis to identify all potential stakeholders, analyze, and understand their interests, expectations, and influence on the project. They could be internal or external. Maintain a register.”

AK: “How do we ensure we’re addressing their needs effectively?”
GK: “Prioritization is key! Consider their Authority, Interest, Influence, Rights, Ownership, Knowledge, Impact on the project.”

AK: “Why prioritize? Can’t we treat all of them equally?”
GK: “Not necessarily. For example, in case of stakeholders who have more authority and interest you have to engage closely than others. Level of engagement depends on priority.”

AK: “Got it. Stakeholders who are directly involved in the project.”
GK: “Wait! Don’t overlook indirect stakeholders, who can wield considerable influence. We need to keep them informed and address their concerns promptly to prevent any potential roadblocks.”

AK: “Ok, I will consider all stakeholders who can help in the project’s success.”
GK: “Hmmm… hold on! You will have to think about members who might generate a negative impact on the project as well.”

AK: “What? How come?”
GK: “Yes, you shouldn’t ignore individuals who might have influence that could risk the project’s objectives and outcomes.”

AK: “That makes sense. What’s our next step?”
GK: “Assess how stakeholders are likely to react or respond in various situations, and have a plan in place about how to involve them based on the situation.”


AK: “So, it’s about being proactive and inclusive in our stakeholder approach.”
GK: “Precisely. By fostering effective communication, collaboration, and responsiveness, we can navigate through stakeholder challenges and pave the way for project success.”

AK: “Thanks for shedding light on this, GK. I’ll make sure to integrate stakeholder management seamlessly into our project strategy.”
GK: “You’re welcome, AK. Remember, understanding and engaging stakeholders isn’t just a checkbox—it’s the cornerstone of project harmony and it’s a continuous process.”