What do you do if your program stakeholders are not aligned with your strategic vision?

Big words only vomplicate understanding of the subject. We are have made a short term / long term goal for our customers. But they have a different opinion. It is important that the vision is synchronised to have maximum efficiency. Each statement need to be evaluated and discussed. We have to be positive in our attitude.. Anyone within the group can be wiser or wiser than you or I. Listen, learn and teach and finalise the vision ....

This step is about understanding the landscape of your stakeholder community. It’s not just about identifying who they are but also understanding their strategic perspectives. This understanding is crucial for developing a strategic vision that aligns with their interests. Failing to attain alignment from the onset creates a high probability of failure to deliver any value.

Stakeholders can include executives, team members, clients, vendors, regulatory bodies, and community representatives, among others. Conducting a stakeholder analysis helps prioritize engagement efforts and ensures that the program addresses the needs and expectations of all relevant parties.

I believe stakeholder mapping is very important basis their power and interest over projects, then at the program level also we need to understand the stakeholder mapping. Program sponsors/owners are the senior leadership who is interested in final value derived from projects, whereas other stakeholders have to be managed basis their need/interest/power in various projects. Program manager has to orchestrate all the projects within program and ensure all stakeholders are rightly identified and managed.

Some recommendations could be: ? Clearly communicate the strategic vision to all stakeholders and explain how it relates to the organization's strategic objectives. ? Identify stakeholder concerns and proactively address them. ? Establish an open and transparent dialogue with interested parties and allow them to express their concerns and opinions. ? Using design thinking and agility techniques can help you engage stakeholders in the program development process and ensure they are aligned with your strategic vision. ? Establish a change management team that can help you address stakeholder concerns and ensure they are aligned with your strategic vision.

Communication is not just about conveying information; it’s about creating a shared understanding of your strategic vision. It’s about ensuring that all stakeholders understand the program's direction and how successfully achieving its future state provides value to customers and the enterprise.

Use various communication channels such as meetings, presentations, emails, and reports to convey your vision clearly and consistently. Tailor your messaging to resonate with each stakeholder group's interests, concerns, and priorities, highlighting the benefits of alignment with the program's strategic goals.

Engage Stakeholders: Involve stakeholders in the decision-making process and seek their input to foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the strategic vision. Provide stakeholders with additional information or education about the strategic vision and its importance for the project's success.

Engagement is not just about involving stakeholders in the planning process; it's about making them feel valued and heard. It's about building trust and fostering a sense of ownership among stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement is also a form of risk mitigation for the program manager. Failing to engage stakeholders or having disengaged stakeholders substantially increases a program's probability of delivering low or no value to customers and the enterprise.

Organize collaborative workshops, focus groups, or interviews to gather input and feedback from stakeholders. Encourage active participation and collaboration, ensuring that their perspectives and insights are integrated into the program plan. This collaborative approach promotes alignment and ensures that stakeholders' expectations are considered and addressed from the outset.

If all this fails, you may also consider seeking leadership support. Seeking leadership support involves enlisting the backing of influential figures within the organization, such as project sponsors or senior executives. These leaders can lend authority to the strategic vision, clarify its importance, and advocate for alignment among stakeholders. Their endorsement can provide legitimacy to the vision, reinforce its significance, and help overcome resistance from stakeholders. Leadership support also signals commitment to the vision, encouraging stakeholders to align their efforts accordingly.

Managing expectations is also about setting realistic expectations and being transparent about the program’s progress and challenges. Creating a culture of openness and honesty is the most effective catalyst for achieving and sustaining business and digital transformation.

Effectively managing stakeholders' expectations requires empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution. Understanding their perspectives, concerns, and needs fosters trust and collaboration, enabling smoother navigation through challenges and changes.

Provide regular updates through various channels such as meetings, reports, emails, or dashboards, ensuring stakeholders are aware of program developments, challenges, and successes. Solicit feedback and address concerns promptly, demonstrating responsiveness to stakeholders' needs and priorities. By maintaining open lines of communication and managing expectations effectively, you foster trust and collaboration, leading to greater alignment with your strategic vision.

Celebrating stakeholder contributions is also about recognizing each stakeholder's value to the program. It fosters a sense of appreciation and respect among stakeholders. Celebrating stakeholders could also motivate those who have been reluctant to be engaged to provide their support to future program initiatives.

To align stakeholders with your strategic vision, first, ensure clarity and articulation of the vision itself, emphasizing its benefits and relevance to each stakeholder. Organize workshops or meetings to discuss the vision and address concerns, fostering a collaborative environment for feedback. Identify and address the root causes of misalignment, whether they are due to misunderstandings, conflicting interests, or lack of information. Engage key influencers among stakeholders to advocate for the vision. Utilize tailored communication strategies to address individual stakeholder needs and values. Lastly, be open to revising your strategy based on stakeholder feedback to find a mutually beneficial path forward.

Here's what you can do: 1. Communicate Clearly: Clearly communicate your strategic vision to stakeholders, emphasizing the benefits and long-term goals. 2. Listen to Concerns: Listen to stakeholders' concerns and understand their perspectives. Identify any underlying reasons for their lack of alignment. 3. Facilitate Discussion: Facilitate discussions to encourage stakeholders to express their concerns openly. Encourage dialogue to find common ground. 4. Adjustment and Compromise: Be open to adjusting the strategic vision or making compromises to accommodate stakeholder concerns without deviating significantly from the overall goals.