Stakeholder Engagement & Management
Overview
Projects and strategies succeed or fail depending on the support of the people they affect. This course gives participants a structured approach to identifying stakeholders, understanding their interests and influence, planning engagement and managing relationships over time.
Who should attend
Managers, project managers, communication and government relations staff, and consultants.
Training methodology
Interactive presentations, practical exercises, case studies, group discussions, role-plays where relevant, and a personal action plan that participants apply in their own work.
Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify and map stakeholders systematically
- Analyse stakeholder interests, influence and attitudes
- Plan engagement strategies and communication
- Manage expectations and difficult stakeholders
- Monitor and improve stakeholder relationships
Course outline
Day 1Stakeholder Fundamentals
- Who stakeholders are
- Why engagement matters
- Engagement principles
- Standards and frameworks
- Discussion
Day 2Identification and Mapping
- Stakeholder identification
- Power-interest grid
- Influence networks
- Stakeholder registers
- Mapping exercise
Day 3Understanding Stakeholders
- Interests and concerns
- Attitudes and readiness
- Hidden agendas
- Empathy mapping
- Case study
Day 4Engagement Planning
- Engagement levels
- Communication methods
- Consultation and participation
- Engagement plan
- Planning workshop
Day 5Managing Relationships
- Managing expectations
- Difficult stakeholders
- Conflict and negotiation
- Monitoring relationships
- Action plan
