Learn how to keep your stakeholder analysis up to date and relevant throughout the project lifecycle, using practical methods and tools in project coordination.

CONFIDENTAL This is what is on my Stakeholder Register. Why? Since it is put together with Project Sponsor and Project Manager you don't want to publish to a wider audience. Why? It may offend people in the organization. Simply because all Stakeholders are identified who are centered around the Project. As per definition, everyone who's positively or negatively impacted by the project. So, it can be the case that the VP of Finance may not be as powerful a stakeholder as the Manager of Operations. Why? VP finance most likely will approve your budget but you will spend 80% of your time with Ops Manager. So, Stakeholder Register is sensitive, so you will not share it with a wider audience.

How can you maintain stakeholder analysis throughout the project lifecycle?

Stakeholder analysis is a crucial process in project coordination, as it helps you identify and manage the expectations, interests, and influence of the people who can affect or be affected by your project. However, stakeholder analysis is not a one-time activity that you can forget after the planning phase. You need to maintain it throughout the project lifecycle, as stakeholders may change, new issues may arise, and relationships may evolve. In this article, you will learn how to keep your stakeholder analysis up to date and relevant, using some practical methods and tools.

1 Review your stakeholder register

Your stakeholder register is a document that records the key information about your stakeholders, such as their names, roles, contact details, level of interest, power, and attitude towards the project. You should review your stakeholder register regularly, especially when there are changes in the project scope, schedule, budget, or quality. You may need to add, remove, or update stakeholders, as well as their attributes and classifications. For example, you may discover new stakeholders who were not identified before, or some stakeholders may become more or less influential or supportive as the project progresses.

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Gabor Stramb

On the mission to help 10,000 People Pass CAPM/PMP by 1st Try ⬇️ | Available for 1:1 Coaching | Best Practice Into Action
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CONFIDENTAL This is what is on my Stakeholder Register. Why? Since it is put together with Project Sponsor and Project Manager you don't want to publish to a wider audience. Why? It may offend people in the organization. Simply because all Stakeholders are identified who are centered around the Project. As per definition, everyone who's positively or negatively impacted by the project. So, it can be the case that the VP of Finance may not be as powerful a stakeholder as the Manager of Operations. Why? VP finance most likely will approve your budget but you will spend 80% of your time with Ops Manager. So, Stakeholder Register is sensitive, so you will not share it with a wider audience.

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Rashid Hussain

Shared Services Organization Facilities Management x Ma'aden x AKU x Total- Middle East & South Asia
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Well said agreed that stakeholders register or Project Coordination Progress which interlinked with tasks, assignment as well as responsibility of individual which assign on project. Hence in above scenario the stakeholders responsibility included is plus point their Job roles and limit of authority as well as contact details. It is better to create a register we should design a portal of which include all requirements and need of stakeholders register.

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Umesh Tank, PMP®

Sr Process System Engineer (Team Lead) at HERE Technologies
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Reviewing and maintaining a stakeholder register is crucial as it contains all the details related to stakeholders. Periodic review of stakeholders register helps in changing communication channels based on the requirements of stakeholders. Updating risk register is equally important as it has the records of all the stakeholders involved throughout the life of a project.

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Manider Pal

Project Coordinator / Senior Document Controller
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Maintaining stakeholder analysis is crucial throughout a project. Initiate by identifying and categorizing stakeholders. In planning, assess their needs and influence, updating regularly. Execution requires a tailored communication plan and continuous engagement to adapt to evolving needs. Monitoring and addressing issues promptly builds trust. Leverage technology for efficient communication and documentation. Regular reviews ensure the analysis aligns with project dynamics. A comprehensive stakeholder evaluation in the closing phase gathers lessons learned for future projects, contributing to overall project success.

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2 Conduct periodic stakeholder surveys

One of the best ways to maintain stakeholder analysis is to ask your stakeholders directly about their opinions, feedback, and satisfaction with the project. You can conduct periodic stakeholder surveys, either online or offline, using various methods such as questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, or workshops. You should design your surveys to capture the relevant data that you need to measure and improve your stakeholder engagement. For example, you can ask about their expectations, needs, preferences, concerns, risks, issues, or suggestions for the project. You should also analyze and report the results of your surveys, and use them to inform your decision-making and communication.

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Michael H.

I help align data teams with business objectives | PMP | MSDA | Epic Certified
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Surveys can be subject to bias from the person who designed the survey or be designed to ignore feedback in badly needed areas. I like open-ended questions for surveys like "Where would you like to see improvement?" or "What are we struggling with as a project team?"

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3 Use stakeholder mapping tools

Another way to maintain stakeholder analysis is to use visual tools that help you map and monitor your stakeholders' positions and relationships. There are many stakeholder mapping tools that you can use, such as the power/interest grid, the influence/impact matrix, the salience model, or the stakeholder circle. These tools help you categorize your stakeholders based on different criteria, such as their level of power, interest, influence, impact, urgency, legitimacy, or proximity to the project. You can use these tools to identify the key stakeholders that you need to focus on, and the appropriate strategies and actions that you need to take to engage them effectively.

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4 Update your stakeholder management plan

Your stakeholder management plan is a document that describes how you will communicate and interact with your stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. It includes the stakeholder analysis results, the stakeholder engagement strategies, the communication methods and channels, the roles and responsibilities, and the performance indicators and metrics. You should update your stakeholder management plan as your stakeholder analysis changes, to reflect the current situation and needs of your stakeholders. You should also review and evaluate your stakeholder management plan periodically, to check if it is working as intended, and to make any necessary adjustments or improvements.

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5 Communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders

The final and most important way to maintain stakeholder analysis is to communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders regularly and effectively. You should keep your stakeholders informed and involved in the project, by providing them with timely, accurate, and relevant information, and by soliciting their input, feedback, and approval. You should also build and maintain positive and trustful relationships with your stakeholders, by respecting their views, addressing their concerns, resolving their issues, and acknowledging their contributions. By communicating and collaborating with your stakeholders, you can ensure that you understand their needs and expectations, and that you deliver a successful project outcome that meets or exceeds them.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you maintain stakeholder analysis throughout the project lifecycle?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Review your stakeholder register

2 Conduct periodic stakeholder surveys

3 Use stakeholder mapping tools

4 Update your stakeholder management plan

5 Communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders

6 Here’s what else to consider

Project Coordination

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How can you maintain stakeholder analysis throughout the project lifecycle?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Review your stakeholder register

2 Conduct periodic stakeholder surveys

3 Use stakeholder mapping tools

4 Update your stakeholder management plan

5 Communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders

6 Here’s what else to consider

Project Coordination

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