Stakeholder Management

Who's a Stakeholder

Stakeholders are all of those who have an interest (stake) in the project

I.e., they will be affected in some way by it

As a result, they will have an interest in influencing it

Who's a Stakeholder

In software development, stakeholders can be:

→ The organization behind it

→ Clients (Customers)

→ Developers working directly or indirectly on it

→ System Administrators

→ People who will use it

→ People affected by it

List of Stakeholders

Stakeholders over time

Stakeholder influence is often greatest at early stages

This normally drops during the middle stages...

... and increases again during the final stages

Note: Agile methods try to maintain engagement throuhgout the project

Stakeholder Analysis

Stakeholders Analysis

First, it is important to identify all stakeholders

Then, you need to classify them according to two dimensions:

→ Their level of influence (power) over the project

→ Their level of interest (motivation) in the project

This classification can be captured in a stakeholder analysis matrix

Stakeholder Analysis Matrix

Stakeholder Analysis

After classification, you must develop stakeholder management strategies

Strategies are developed based on:

→ Their spot in the stakeholder analysis matrix (e.g. high-influence and high-interest)

→ Their attitude towards the project: positive or negative

Management Strategies

High Influence and High Interest

Positive Attitude:

→ Keep them informed and involved

→ Meet often and consult about changes

→ Encourage their participation

Management Strategies

High Influence and High Interest

Negative Attitude:

→ Attempt to gain their support and confidence

→ Find out what they need/want

→ Counter their negative influence on others

→ More strategies here

Communications Plan

Overview

A communication plan allows you to set expectations and standards

It defines how and when information is communicated

It also defines who receives which updates

Note that in Scrum, this is part of a Working Agreement

Things to include

A list of items to be communicated

The person responsible (owner) for communicating the item

Names of all stakeholders involved (target audience)

A schedule or frequency of updates

The preferred communications channel

Things not to include

Project Plan Details

Confidential or sensitive details

Unclear or unrealistic expectations

Notes on Comms Plan

Note that your communications plan is deeply tied to your stakeholder analysis

It should address the stakeholder management strategies

Example