How can you apply ISO 21500 stakeholder management guidelines to your program?

1 Identify stakeholders

The first step in stakeholder management is to identify who your stakeholders are and what their roles, interests, and influence are on your program. You can use various tools and techniques, such as stakeholder analysis, stakeholder mapping, power-interest grid, or salience model, to categorize and prioritize your stakeholders. You should also consider the impact of the program environment, such as the organizational culture, political context, legal framework, and social norms, on your stakeholders. The output of this process is a stakeholder register that documents the relevant information about each stakeholder group or individual.

2 Plan stakeholder management

The next step is to plan how you will manage your stakeholders throughout the program life cycle. You should develop a stakeholder management plan that defines the strategies and actions to engage each stakeholder group or individual according to their level of interest and influence. The plan should also include the communication methods, frequency, and channels to keep your stakeholders informed and involved. You should also identify the risks and opportunities associated with each stakeholder and plan how to mitigate or exploit them. The output of this process is a stakeholder management plan that guides your stakeholder engagement activities.

3 Engage stakeholders

The third step is to execute your stakeholder management plan and engage your stakeholders in the program. You should communicate with your stakeholders regularly and effectively, using the appropriate tone, language, and format. You should also solicit their feedback, input, and expectations, and address any issues or concerns that may arise. You should also manage their expectations and ensure that they are aligned with the program objectives and benefits. You should also build trust and rapport with your stakeholders and foster positive relationships. The output of this process is a record of stakeholder engagement that tracks the communication and interaction with each stakeholder.

4 Control stakeholder engagement

The final step is to monitor and control your stakeholder engagement and ensure that it is meeting the program needs and objectives. You should measure and evaluate the effectiveness of your stakeholder management plan and activities, using indicators such as stakeholder satisfaction, engagement level, influence, and feedback. You should also identify any changes or issues that may affect your stakeholder engagement and implement corrective or preventive actions. You should also update your stakeholder register and stakeholder management plan as needed to reflect the current status and situation of your stakeholders. The output of this process is a report of stakeholder engagement that summarizes the performance and results of your stakeholder management.

By applying the ISO 21500 stakeholder management guidelines to your program, you can improve your program performance and success. You can also enhance your stakeholder relationships and satisfaction, and increase your stakeholder support and commitment. You can also reduce the risks and conflicts that may arise from stakeholder misalignment or dissatisfaction.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?