(Okay, perhaps not everything. And perhaps you didn’t want to know. But please keep reading - this may be of interest to you.)
Why a Stakeholder Linkfest
This past week I took part in three different conversations in which the success (and in one case failure) of a project could be related back to the relationship the project manager had with the stakeholders.
Key to your success as a project manager is your ability to understand the opportunities, desires and needs of your stakeholders. You may know this intellectually, but is it part of your day to day practice? How well do you satisfy not only your primary stakeholders, but your secondary and indirect ones, too?
In this list are articles to get you thinking about some of the less obvious issues in pleasing stakeholders. Primary selection criteria: (a) quick to read, (b) good value for your time, and (c) of interest whatever your level of experience.
Good project management transcends national borders. I’ve included international perspectives wherever possible.
If you like any of these articles, please consider adding comments and subscribing to the blogs listed. Not only will you be supporting your growth and development, you will be encouraging the authors to continue to produce good content.
If you find other valuable articles on stakeholders, please note them below. Let me know if you would like to see further linkfests like this. Enjoy!
Stakeholders 101
- Project Sponsor FAQ by Elizabeth Harrin in A Girl’s Guide to Project Management. United Kingdom
- Back to the Basic: Stakeholders by Thomas Cutting in Cutting’s Edge Project Management. United States
- On Prioritising Your Stakeholders by duardo in On Projects* For Project Teams On The Move. United Kingdom
How Much Do You Include Your Stakeholders In Your Project?
- How Visible Is Your Project? by Philip Greenwood in Beaufortes: Developing True Project Leadership. United Kingdom
- Reinventing Stakeholder Value by Jennifer Pellet in BNET Business Network. United States, United Kingdom, Australia
What Are You Going To Say To Your Stakeholders? How? When?
- On Stakeholder Communication by Chris in Better Projects. United States
- 12 Simple Tips For Building Group, Team, Organizational Trust by Raven Young in Raven’s Brain. United States
Stakeholder RISKS RISKS RISKS!
- Dictated Dates…not! by Jose Solera in UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley. United States
- Silence Fails and Crucial Conversations by The ITIL Imp in Adventures of the ITIL Imp. United Kingdom
- Don’t Be a Victim of Politics by Stephen Seay in ProjectSteps. United States
- Corner Cutting Survey Top Answer: Not Communicating With Senior Management by Paul Ritchie in Crossderry Blog. United States
Cross-Cultural Issues - Are You Unwittingly Xenophobic?
- What is the Biggest Barrier in Cross-Cultural Negotiations? by Cindy King in Get International Clients. France
Social Responsibility - On Your Radar?
- Corporate Social Responsibility: End or Mean? by Dennis Berg in Berg Memories: Where Art Meets Rationality. Ukraine
(Image by Stefan Gara)
Table of contents for Linkfests
- Pleasing Stakeholders Linkfest: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know But Were Afraid To Ask.
- Managing Remote Teams - Lessons Learned Linkfest
- Learning Mind Mapping Linkfest
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A good read, many thanks.
I have seen many projects fade away becasue of poor stakeholder management. You may want to add some other references:
http://www.projchallenge.com/seminars.cfm - scroll down to the presentation given by Bob Newman, Director, Insight Consultancy and Donnie MacNicol, Director, Team Animation. It’s very good.
I ahve written several blogs and an article on the downlaods page at http://www.ronrosenhead.co.uk.
Keep up the good work
Interesting post, thank you.
Here is one more good article on the importance of stakeholder commitment:
http://www.executivebrief.com/article/commitment-phobia-why-stakeholder-commitment-is-important
ExecutiveBrief´s last blog post..Spotlight on Software Quality Improvement: Three Strategies for Success!
Alec,
Great post - and great use of Thesis!
John
John Haydon´s last blog post..Why Your Non-Profit Needs A Blog: An interview with Chris Garrett
Alec,
What a great way to do a list!
It’s easy to see you are great at project management!
I’m going to be stopping by more often. You have lots of information to learn from.
Cindy King´s last blog post..The Challenge Of Cultural Filters
@Ron - Completely agree with you - without good stakeholder support throughout the life of the project - it’s unlikely that there will be a happy outcome at the end. Glad to find your site and appreciate the the link(s) provided.
@ExecutiveBrief - Thanks for the article. The Stanford Research Institute’s definition of stakeholder is the best I’ve heard: “those groups without whose support the organization will cease to exist.”
@John - Your site continues to inspire me. Keep up the good work!
@Cindy - The feeling is mutual.
Welcome to all of you. Alec
Hi Alec!
A Stakeholder Linkfest - I love it! I’m a little late in stopping by but of course the resources are still useful and interesting!
Thank you for including my article among so many other great reads!
Raven Young´s last blog post..Special Audio Version of Covey’s "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" & "The 8th Habit"