Stakeholders are people or organizations that are internal or external to the project who have a vested interest in its success. That interest can have a positive or negative impact in the project management process. Therefore, it’s crucial to know your project stakeholders.

 

When I join a new project where new stakeholders are involved, I always remember what a tiger does before hunting its prey, of course I don't use this concept literally, but it is interesting knowing how a tiger proceeds when facing a new situation...  

Before hunting, the tiger studies its prey...

"Once the Tiger identifies a potential prey, it enters a state of focused determination. It begins to precisely track its target, following its scent trail or traces left behind as it moves through the terrain. The Tiger’s patience is astounding as it silently creeps closer and closer, ensuring each step is calculated and noiseless."

 

What I'm trying to explain using the tiger's concept, is that we use our emotional intelligence, some use a high level of EI and some others not too much, to determine how difficult a stakeholder related to a project could be. 

 

This is a list of steps you can use to analyze a new stakeholder. You can Google each step for more details:

 

1. Understand the Context.
2. Plan your approach.
3. Listen and empathize.
4. Communicate clearly and confidently.
5. Negotiate and collaborate.
6. Follow up and evaluate.

 

Here are some general concepts to use when it comes to work with stakeholders:

Tool & Processes

How do you know who needs what when communicating with them during the project? That is the beginning of stakeholder analysis, and it starts with stakeholder mapping.

Stakeholder Map
A stakeholder map is a visual, four-quadrant influence-interest matrix used in project management to identify stakeholders and categorize them in terms of their influence and interest in the project. A stakeholder map might also be referred to as a stakeholder matrix, power interest grid or stakeholder chart.

Stakeholder Types 

• Internal Stakeholders
• External Stakeholders
  
• Key Stakeholders

Stakeholder Tools

• Stakeholder Analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Stakeholder Management

 

Stakeholder Matrix & Mapping Actions

• Identify Stakeholders
• Analyze Stakeholders
• Map Stakeholders
• Prioritize Stakeholders