What the Stakeholders Really Need

  Communications Management   Estimating   Stakeholder Management   Knowledge Shelf  

Abstract
This article outlines some steps to strengthen the relationship between the project manager and the project participants. Listening to and considering the stakeholders' viewpoint will foster alignment and convergence to achieve project objectives.

First Things First
It is a rule, almost a law, that project success is fully dependent on maximum support coming from its sponsors. This buy-in should happen in the very beginning, still at the project charter phase. This is a relevant message since the sponsor generally occupies a significant position at the company and a considerable grade of importance in the stakeholder register.

The charter is a key introduction to the whole organization, describing the project needs and highlighting its goals and opportunities. This way, we have a paramount expectation to be covered: Communicate clear benefits to be brought and kill any initial doubts at the very beginning of the project. In other words, it is vital to make the project charter a bridge linking the project owners and the people who will execute it.

Highlighting the Importance of the Project
In the sense that convincing the organization is the initial task of the project manager, the charter is the right tool designed to answer basic questions about the strategy to be followed, the staff to be engaged, time …

Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.