The importance of Stakeholder Management in digital projects.

Each organisation is different

Stakeholder management isn't just a side task; it's a core part of making a project successful. It involves understanding the needs, expectations, and influences of everyone involved in the project, from the end-users and clients to team members and external partners.

Failing to grasp the internal politics, power structures, and interpersonal relationships at play, can lead to alienating key stakeholders or misaligning efforts with the organization's strategic goals.

This lack of insight can in turn lead to poor communication, conflicting priorities, and a lack of buy-in from critical team members or departments. As a result, the project can suffer from delays, budget overruns, and even complete failure, as essential support and resources might be withheld or misallocated.

Autonomous Core Teams with a decision-making mandate

Over the past 20 years, we have dealt with all kinds of stakeholders, ranging from individual clients over smaller and medium-sized groups to global organizations with tons of internal divisions etc.

Through these diverse engagements, we have developed and refined various tactics and strategies to ensure project success.

The first step for us, is always defining an core team. This approach empowers team members, fosters accountability, and streamlines decision-making.

The core team is the group of people that has the mandate to make autonomous decisions to move the project forward. They are in every meeting and they have followed the thought process that has led to the decided outcomes. It's extremely hard to have a decision-maker outside of the core team, because they won't have the context and process that led to the proposed solution.

Often decision-makers don't have the time to be part of every workshop or meeting, so the core team needs to find a balance and stride to check in with them on a regular basis. And what about other stakeholders then, who are not part of the core team?

The core team members who are Responsible

Our core team members play a crucial role by taking on the "R" (Responsible) and "A" (Accountable) parts of the RACI matrix. These individuals are at the heart of our project management strategy, driving tasks forward and ensuring everything stays on track. As the Responsible parties, they are the ones who execute the tasks and manage the day-to-day activities.

The core team member who is Accountable

As the Accountable members, they make key decisions and take ownership of the outcomes, ensuring the project's success. By having dedicated team members in these critical roles, we maintain clear accountability and efficient progress, keeping everyone aligned and focused on our goals.

People in the organisation that need to be consulted

The other members of our organization play vital roles by taking on the "C" (Consulted) and "I" (Informed) parts of the RACI matrix. Those in the Consulted role provide valuable input and expertise, offering insights and feedback that shape the direction of the project. Their involvement ensures that all perspectives are considered and that we make well-informed decisions.

Others that need to be informed

Meanwhile, those in the Informed role are kept up-to-date on progress and outcomes. This group receives regular updates and communications, ensuring transparency and keeping everyone aligned with the project's status and any changes.

This structure allows for effective communication and swift decision-making, which are essential for the successful completion of any project and it provides both us and the client a fresh perspective on the internal politics, power structures, and interpersonal relationships at play.