Stakeholder Engagement Plan

March 25, 2025
« Back to Glossary Index

What is a Stakeholder Engagement Plan?

A stakeholder engagement plan is a strategic document that outlines how a project team will communicate with and involve stakeholders throughout the project’s life. It identifies key stakeholders, analyses their interests and influence, and defines methods to manage their expectations and participation. The plan aims to build and maintain strong relationships with individuals or groups who can affect or are affected by the project. Effective engagement helps reduce resistance, increase support, and ensure project objectives align with stakeholder needs.

Project managers tailor a well-developed plan to the unique characteristics of the project and its stakeholder community. It is created during the planning phase and should be updated regularly as new stakeholders emerge or existing priorities shift.

Key Points

  • It outlines strategies to communicate and collaborate with stakeholders.
  • The plan includes stakeholder identification, analysis, communication methods, and engagement activities.
  • It helps project teams manage expectations and avoid misunderstandings.
  • The document evolves throughout the project to reflect changes in stakeholder needs or project direction.
  • Active stakeholder involvement often leads to better decision-making and project outcomes.

Related Terms

  • The plan uses a stakeholder analysis to understand each stakeholder group’s interests, influences, and needs.
  • A communication plan supports stakeholder engagement by defining when and how to share information.
  • A project charter may identify initial stakeholders and serve as input when developing the engagement plan.
  • A risk management plan considers stakeholder concerns that could lead to project risks.
  • A change management plan works closely with engagement efforts to prepare stakeholders for changes during the project.

Stakeholder Engagement Plan: Example

Residents, local government, and environmental groups are key stakeholders in a construction project for a new community centre. The stakeholder engagement plan lists these groups, maps their influence and interest levels, and describes communication methods such as newsletters, town hall meetings, and a project website. The plan also assigns project team members responsible for managing relationships and responding to stakeholder concerns. Regular updates ensure stakeholder feedback informs project decisions, and we manage expectations throughout construction.

Stakeholder Engagement Plan: Best Practices

  • Start early by identifying stakeholders during project initiation.
  • Use stakeholder analysis tools to prioritize engagement efforts.
  • Tailor communication methods to the preferences of different stakeholder groups.
  • Maintain regular, transparent, and two-way communication.
  • Review and adjust the plan as the project evolves to stay aligned with stakeholder expectations.

Additional Resources

Stakeholder Engagement Plan - Stakeholder Engagement: The Game Changer for Program Management (Best Practices in Portfolio, Program, and Project Management)     Stakeholder Engagement Plan - Project Stakeholder Management (Fundamentals of Project Management)

Preparing for a PMI certification?

« Back to Glossary Index