13 December 2006 (c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited Stakeholder Management for Designers Or “I’m a Designer, Get me out of here!” Or “I’m a Designer, Get me out of here!”

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. 2 Introduction  The role of the IT designer involves…  Designing IT Technical solutions.  Dealing with the different “Stakeholders” who have a vested interest in the solution.  So the designer has to be..  Able to Design.  Able to deal with the Stakeholders.  This presentation is a personal perspective on how to manage Stakeholders.  Contains Material of Adult nature - don’t circulate  The role of the IT designer involves…  Designing IT Technical solutions.  Dealing with the different “Stakeholders” who have a vested interest in the solution.  So the designer has to be..  Able to Design.  Able to deal with the Stakeholders.  This presentation is a personal perspective on how to manage Stakeholders.  Contains Material of Adult nature - don’t circulate

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. 3 It’s a Jungle out there

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. 4 Techies  Can appear a bit dull and uninteresting at times  At home in the mud (and other dirty stuff !)  Like Bugs  Some are nocturnal.  Speak in strange languages  Communicate with their own kind.  Most other animals don’t understand them.  Can appear a bit dull and uninteresting at times  At home in the mud (and other dirty stuff !)  Like Bugs  Some are nocturnal.  Speak in strange languages  Communicate with their own kind.  Most other animals don’t understand them.

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. 5 Dealing with Techies  Give them technical problems (“bugs”) to solve.  Simple objectives.  Don’t give them too many options !  Give them technical problems (“bugs”) to solve.  Simple objectives.  Don’t give them too many options !

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. 6 Project Managers  Lots of weight to throw around  Can hear what is going on.  Good at clearing obstacles  Focused  Remembers things  Easily trained to do simple tasks  Lots of weight to throw around  Can hear what is going on.  Good at clearing obstacles  Focused  Remembers things  Easily trained to do simple tasks

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. 7 Dealing with Project Managers  Give them clear “deliver this by then” dates.  The IS01 is your friend.  Keep assuring them that all is OK.  If it isn’t -- they like to be told.  Get them to “arrange” things.  Meetings, Actions, Questions to be addressed.  If the scope changes, or issues arise, get them to manage it.  instead of handling it yourself  They are better at clearing obstacles.  Give them clear “deliver this by then” dates.  The IS01 is your friend.  Keep assuring them that all is OK.  If it isn’t -- they like to be told.  Get them to “arrange” things.  Meetings, Actions, Questions to be addressed.  If the scope changes, or issues arise, get them to manage it.  instead of handling it yourself  They are better at clearing obstacles.

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. 8 Business  Think they are King of the Jungle  Like to soak up the sun  Sees other animals either as food, or irrelevant  Only concerned with the important things in life…  Food, Procreation…  Think they are King of the Jungle  Like to soak up the sun  Sees other animals either as food, or irrelevant  Only concerned with the important things in life…  Food, Procreation…

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. 9 Managing Business Stakeholders  Only talk to them about the important things in life.  If things have to change, it will cost effort  Effort is time and Time is Money  Money is Food  They understand Food.  They like to manage change, not be managed by it.  Don’t confuse them with complex things like technology !  Only talk to them about the important things in life.  If things have to change, it will cost effort  Effort is time and Time is Money  Money is Food  They understand Food.  They like to manage change, not be managed by it.  Don’t confuse them with complex things like technology !

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited Marketing Sponsorship  Can appear slimy from a distance  Forked Tongue  Not sure where they are coming from  Several types  Crush with sheer force  Poison bite  Wary of some other types of animals.  Can appear slimy from a distance  Forked Tongue  Not sure where they are coming from  Several types  Crush with sheer force  Poison bite  Wary of some other types of animals.

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited Dealing with the Sales/Marketing types  Be careful - the dangerous ones bite !  If they understand what is in it for them, they will be easier to handle.  Use the word “benefit” all the time.  Project Managers are better at dealing with them.  Be careful - the dangerous ones bite !  If they understand what is in it for them, they will be easier to handle.  Use the word “benefit” all the time.  Project Managers are better at dealing with them.

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited The Designers eco-System

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited The Designer Animal Blends in with the environment Eyes looking in all directions Feels a bit like a snake Looks a bit like a frog Makes elephants feel a bit uncomfortable

13 December 2006(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited Conclusions: Understand the other animals in the Jungle  Where are they coming from  What do they expect  What things make sense to them (and what don’t )  Deal with them in their own terms.  Forgive them their weaknesses.  Use their strengths to help you.  Remember: it’s a jungle out there…  Where are they coming from  What do they expect  What things make sense to them (and what don’t )  Deal with them in their own terms.  Forgive them their weaknesses.  Use their strengths to help you.  Remember: it’s a jungle out there…

13 December 2006 (c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited Stakeholder Management for Designers Or “I’m a Designer, Get me out of here!” Or “I’m a Designer, Get me out of here!”