The people who care about the outcome.
WHO THEY ARE
Anyone affected by the project or able to affect it.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Who they are What they want How much influence they have How they prefer to be kept informed
WHY INFLUENCE MATTERS
It determines how much attention each needs.
WHAT CATEGORIES ARE USEFUL
High influence and high interest: engage closely
High influence, low interest: keep satisfied Low influence, high interest: keep informed Low influence, low interest: monitor
WHAT THE COMMONEST MISTAKE IS
Ignoring someone with quiet influence until they object late.
WHO THAT USUALLY IS
Finance Technical staff Legal Someone whose work the project changes
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Identify them early and involve them.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT THE SPONSOR
Who owns the project's success What they will decide How often they want to hear
WHY THE SPONSOR MATTERS MOST
They resolve what you cannot, and they defend the project.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS NO SPONSOR
Find one, or expect the project to stall.
WHAT TO COMMUNICATE
Progress, problems and decisions needed.
HOW OFTEN
Predictably, so people stop asking.
WHAT TO AVOID
Telling different people different things Surprising anyone with bad news
WHAT TO DO ABOUT RESISTANCE
Understand the reason before addressing it.
WHY
It is usually about consequences you have not considered.
