Stakeholder Engagement

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All change is about getting people onboard, so it is important to gain their support and to understand their worries or concerns as well.

Also, by listening to stakeholders and faithfully representing their perspectives, you will create a support network that will enable this change. This support is crucial to affect change.

Stakeholder engagement involves listening and considering how change implementation affects all key groups.  Gain support,  and consider stakeholder concerns to make the process smoother and bring all stakeholder groups onboard.

Effective stakeholder engagement is essential to every aspect of an implementation process, from defining the problem to testing solutions. Failure to engage stakeholders will significantly reduce your chances of success.”

Dr Rhonda Garad

The benefits of involving stakeholders include:

Fit-for-purpose initiative design

Stakeholders have invaluable knowledge of the context and are vital in actually assessing the problem/issue and designing solutions.

Improved decision-making

Stakeholder input can provide valuable insights and perspectives that can inform decision-making and ensure that the project remains on track.

Increased buy-in and support

When stakeholders are involved in the planning and implementation of a project, they are more likely to support and advocate for it, which can help to mitigate resistance and ensure its success.

Enhanced accountability

Stakeholder involvement can help to ensure that all parties are held accountable for their responsibilities and that the project is completed on time and within budget.

Better outcomes

Achieve outcomes that are aligned with stakeholder needs and expectations lead to increased satisfaction and better relationships with stakeholders.

Six steps to understanding stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement is the process ...
... of involving people who have a stake in an issue/problem/change that is under consideration, and who may have input into the implementation of a new approach.
Stakeholder engagement is critical because ...
... it is based on the principle of equity of outcome, and therefore must involve those who are impacted.
One very common misconception of stakeholder engagement is ...
... that it is a discrete event, often at the beginning of a process. This is not the case. Stakeholder engagement is a dynamic process running throughout the implementation eco-system, from conception to translation
Stakeholder mapping should encompass ...
... broad thinking and include immediate, secondary, and distally affected individuals and groups.
Stakeholder engagement should use ...
... a variety of engagement methods that are tailored to the needs of stakeholders (See IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation and Methods Matrix)
Stakeholder engagement commences with ...
... problem identification, which is essential to a co-design process, and critical to an effective implementation process.