How do you coordinate stakeholders across departments?

2 Communicate clearly and regularly

The second step is to communicate clearly and regularly with your stakeholders across departments. You need to establish a communication plan that outlines the purpose, frequency, mode, and format of your communication. You also need to tailor your messages to suit the needs and preferences of different stakeholders. For example, you may use a dashboard to report on key metrics and milestones to your executives, a newsletter to update your customers and users on your program progress, and a meeting to discuss issues and risks with your team members and suppliers.

3 Involve and consult your stakeholders

The third step is to involve and consult your stakeholders across departments in your program decisions and activities. You need to seek their input, feedback, and approval at key stages of your program lifecycle, such as initiation, planning, execution, and closure. You also need to provide them with opportunities to participate, collaborate, and contribute to your program deliverables and outcomes. For example, you may invite them to join a workshop, a survey, or a focus group to gather their requirements, expectations, and opinions.

4 Manage and resolve conflicts

The fourth step is to manage and resolve conflicts that may arise among your stakeholders across departments. You need to anticipate and prevent potential sources of conflict, such as misaligned goals, competing priorities, limited resources, or unclear roles. You also need to address and resolve existing conflicts in a timely and respectful manner, using techniques such as negotiation, mediation, or arbitration. You need to focus on finding a win-win solution that satisfies the interests and needs of all parties involved.

5 Build and maintain relationships

The fifth step is to build and maintain relationships with your stakeholders across departments. You need to establish trust, rapport, and respect with your stakeholders by being transparent, honest, and accountable. You also need to recognize and appreciate their contributions, achievements, and concerns by providing feedback, recognition, and support. You need to nurture and sustain your relationships with your stakeholders by following up, staying in touch, and delivering on your promises.

6 Evaluate and improve your stakeholder coordination

The sixth step is to evaluate and improve your stakeholder coordination across departments. You need to measure and monitor the effectiveness of your stakeholder coordination by using indicators such as satisfaction, engagement, collaboration, and communication. You also need to solicit and act on feedback from your stakeholders on how to improve your stakeholder coordination. You need to review and revise your stakeholder analysis, communication plan, and engagement strategies as your program evolves and your stakeholders change.