5 ways to improve stakeholder management 

Stakeholder management is a critical aspect of project management. It involves identifying, analysing, and prioritizing stakeholders to ensure their needs and expectations are met throughout the project & lifecycle. Effective stakeholder management can help project managers achieve their objectives, improve communication, and reduce conflicts. 

Here are 5 tips on how project managers can do better stakeholder management:

1. Identify and categorize stakeholders: Project managers need to identify all stakeholders involved in the project and categorize them based on their level of interest, influence, and impact on the project. This will help them prioritize stakeholders and determine their communication and engagement strategies.

 2. Communicate regularly: Communication is key to successful stakeholder management. Project managers need to communicate regularly with stakeholders to keep them informed about the project's progress, milestones, and any changes that may affect them. This can be done through regular progress reports, status updates, and project meetings. What we use is WSR, a weekly status report to management with progress tracking, risk/mitigations, and a set of decisions to be taken. We also always organize a bi-weekly forum with the larger stakeholder community to address the advancement of the project(s) and to get involvement and commitment. And monitor progress and key activities. 

3. Manage expectations: Project managers should manage stakeholder expectations from the beginning of the project. This includes setting realistic goals and timelines, defining project scope, and clarifying roles and responsibilities. 

4. Address concerns: Project managers should be proactive in addressing stakeholder concerns and issues. This involves actively listening to stakeholders, providing timely feedback, and taking corrective actions when necessary.

5. Build relationships: Building positive relationships with stakeholders can help project managers gain their trust and support. This involves understanding stakeholders' needs and interests, showing empathy, seeking their input, and being responsive to their feedback. In conclusion, effective stakeholder management is crucial to project success. By following these tips, project managers can better manage their stakeholders, and increase the likelihood of project success.