Stakeholder Management

Stakeholder theory Stakeholders a definition “A stakeholder is any individual or group who can affect or is affected by the actions decisions, policies and practices, or goals of the organisation” Freeman 1984 “Stakeholders are all the people and groups affected by, or that can affect, an organisation’s decisions, policies and operations.” Post Lawrence and Weber 1999  

Factors to consider in Stakeholder Management Classification Primary Secondary Dynamic in nature Power Interdependence Conflict

Five Major Questions Who are our stakeholders? What is their stake? What responsibilities do we have to them? What strategies, actions or decisions should we take to best deal with those responsibilities? Carroll 1991

Engagement with Project Mapping Hi Influence on Project Lo Lo Hi Engagement with Project

Tips for Stakeholder Management Make sure there is a process where you can assess priorities between the project needs and the stakeholder’s demands / requests Look for common ground with your stakeholders Build partnerships such that everyone can benefit Be flexible, very few things are absolutely set in concrete, power of lateral thinking Sometimes you just cannot agree – an ability to disagree without damaging relationships is a major asset

The Continuum of Stakeholder models Naylor; J (2004) Adaptive Defensive Pro-active Obstructive Block- not our responsibility Admit and justify faults, do our best Comply Take the lead