Before Getting Serious With Stakeholders, Go to the Formal
Joe Wynne is a versatile Project Manager experienced in delivering medium-scope projects in large organizations that improve workforce performance and business processes. He has a proven track record of delivering effective, technology-savvy solutions in a variety of industries and a unique combination of strengths in both process management and workforce management.
Don’t be surprised if your project management trainer starts showing you high school dating videos from the 1950s. Not only are they funny, but they have a lot to say about managing stakeholders. They tell you to take someone to the formal before getting too familiar. Then they tell you to check into the background of those you plan to "get serious" with. Sounds like good advice to me!
A Formal Approach
Going to a formal approach in stakeholder management is important for two reasons: First, you must identify, in the Planning Stage, all the stakeholders and the needs of each of these stakeholders. Second, you have to establish and maintain collaborative and effective relationships with stakeholders throughout the project – and beyond.
A formal approach will allow you to attain your ultimate goal – making your life easier. When you have the stakeholders in your pocket, you can plan more effectively and resolve difficult issues more quickly. Stakeholders can even serve as early warning devices to warn you of severe weather on the horizon. Finally, you can use their expertise to improve your knowledge of the organization and its marketplace.
Start with Stakeholder Groups
The formal approach is a top-down approach. Proceeding in this way will allow you to create a complete list of stakeholders and be better able to develop a strategy for …
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"Impartial observers from other planets would consider ours an utterly bizarre enclave if it were populated by birds, defined as flying animals, that nevertheless rarely or never actually flew. They would also be perplexed if they encountered in our seas, lakes, rivers and ponds, creatures defined as swimmers that never did any swimming. But they would be even more surprised to encounter a species defined as a thinking animal if, in fact, the creature very rarely indulged in actual thinking." - Steve Allen |
