Assignment Overview: Individual Project Management
Assignment Overview individual Projectproject Management History Stak
The discussion on stakeholders went better than expected. Everyone seems to be on the same page. But now, the team is unsure of who should be included as stakeholders in the communication management plan. The team realizes that there are a lot more stakeholders on the project than expected.
In addition to the team itself, there are other internal and external stakeholders who must be considered. Although all of your team members work in the sales and marketing function, they all bring unique skills and experiences to this project. Many have worked in other departments prior to their new role or have dual responsibilities in the company. "This is a make-or-break project for us at this point," says Jim. "We have to get it right the first time. If we miss any stakeholders in our communication, it could be devastating to the success of the project." Jim turns to you. "I need you to lead the team in conducting a stakeholder analysis. We need to make sure to include all of the stakeholders, their background, contribution to the project, and level of priority to the project communication. You will be working with your four teammates in performing the stakeholder analysis and transferring this information to the project charter for review." "Okay," you say. "Can everyone give me a little bit of background about work experience and education?" "Sure," says Jerry Lawson. "I have an MS in Business Management and several IT/PM certifications as well as 6 years with the company." "I have a lot of procurement and acquisition experience, but have an engineering background," says Sara Jenkins. "I earned an MBA and a BS in electrical engineering. I have been with the company for 4 years." "I have done business analysis, quality assurance, and risk management, but have a construction background," says Melissa Grant. "I have an MSM in project management and a BS in electrical engineering as well as 6 years with the company." Mike Green, a technician who previously worked in the public relations and marketing department says, "I have done a lot of hands-on electrical work and testing. I earned my MBA in marketing and two undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and IT management. I have been with the company for 5 years." "Great, thanks," you say. Jim hands you a document, saying, "Here is a project charter, a stakeholder register, and SOW templates for you to use as a guideline." After Jim leaves, you and the rest of the team get busy discussing how to conduct a stakeholder analysis and how to justify stakeholders’ inclusion in the project communication. You also begin to review the project background information to develop your SOW. At your desk, you write the stakeholder analysis in an essay-style format using MS Word or the stakeholder register template.
Notes from your team discussion help you defend your position on the stakeholders' inclusion. If you use MS Word, your essay should outline who they are to the project, their roles, responsibilities, and positions at the company (internal or external), and their level of influence on the project. Fill out all of the sections in the given templates with as much information as possible. The goal is to document everything you know and everything others need to know about this project thus far.
Paper For Above instruction
The following paper presents a comprehensive stakeholder analysis for a critical project within an organization, highlighting the importance of identifying, assessing, and classifying stakeholders based on their influence, interests, and potential impact on project success. This analysis is crucial because a thorough understanding of stakeholder dynamics ensures effective communication, minimizes risks, and promotes stakeholder engagement—key factors in project success.
Introduction
Stakeholder analysis is a fundamental process in project management that involves identifying all parties impacted by or capable of influencing a project. An accurate stakeholder assessment facilitates targeted communication strategies, resource allocation, and risk management. In this project, the team must consider a wide array of stakeholders—internal teams, management, external vendors, regulatory bodies, and others—each with unique interests, influence levels, responsibilities, and potential contributions or hindrances to project objectives.
Identification of Stakeholders
The primary internal stakeholders include the project team members, their respective departments, and internal management. External stakeholders encompass vendors, suppliers, regulatory agencies, and other organizational partners. Based on the team’s background and project scope, the following key stakeholders are identified:
- Project Team Members: Jerry Lawson, Sara Jenkins, Melissa Grant, and Mike Green. Each brings diverse expertise spanning project management, engineering, business analysis, procurement, marketing, and technical operations. Their responsibilities include executing project tasks, providing technical insights, and ensuring project deliverables meet organizational standards.
- Project Sponsor and Management: Senior executives and project sponsors who provide strategic direction, approve budgets, and make high-level decisions. Their influence is high, and their involvement is critical for resource allocation and project support.
- Vendors and Suppliers: External technology providers and equipment vendors essential for project implementation. Their contribution impacts project timelines, quality, and costs.
- Customers and End Users: Internal or external entities who will utilize the project's output, influencing project scope and quality expectations.
- Regulatory Agencies: External organizations that impose compliance standards affecting project deliverables and processes.
Roles and Responsibilities
Each stakeholder has specific roles and responsibilities aligned with their organizational position and expertise. For instance, Jerry’s background in business management positions him to oversee project coordination and stakeholder engagement; Sara’s engineering expertise aids technical procurement; Melissa’s construction experience supports site and quality management; Mike’s diverse marketing and electrical background facilitates technical testing and outreach. Management stakeholders are responsible for strategic oversight and funding approval, while vendors are tasked with delivering key components within established timelines.
Level of Influence
The influence of stakeholders varies considerably. High-influence stakeholders include senior management and project sponsors who direct overall project strategy. Project team members possess medium influence, as their work determines project execution. Vendors have variable influence based on their delivery commitments, whereas regulatory agencies exert high influence through compliance requirements that may alter project scope or deadlines.
Interest and Engagement
Stakeholders’ interests range from technical success and timely delivery to compliance and organizational reputation. Engagement strategies should be tailored accordingly. For example, high-interest stakeholders such as sponsors and project owners require frequent updates, while external vendors benefit from clear contract terms and regular communication to ensure alignment.
Classification and Prioritization
Stakeholder classification follows a power-interest matrix methodology—identifying those with high power and interest as top priorities for communication and engagement. Those with low influence or interest require minimal contact but should be monitored for changes in their status or expectations. The analysis ensures that communication efforts are focused on the right stakeholders at appropriate levels.
Conclusion
This stakeholder analysis underscores the importance of a systematic approach to identifying and assessing all relevant parties involved in the project. By understanding each stakeholder’s background, role, influence, and interest, project managers can develop tailored communication plans that mitigate risks, foster cooperation, and drive project success.
References
- Bourne, L. (2015). Stakeholder Relationship Management: A Maturity Model for Organisational Implementation. Gower Publishing, Ltd.