Stakeholders analysis is a crucial step that enables one to establish support when beginning a project. It refers to a way of analyzing information about the impact of individuals or groups in a project. A person can identify all stakeholders, their expectations, and what they need from the project by effectively conducting an analysis. It also enables the person to identify positive supportive stakeholders as well as those in opposition. As such, determining the various categories of stakeholders is essential as it allows one to understand their potential impact on a project.
In a community, a group of stakeholders who are vocal about the proposed project or the problems to be addressed are called communist activists. They include labor unions, youth and student movements, and intellectuals and academics. According to Robinson (2009), communist activists are deeply devoted to their community’s development and well-being. These stakeholders actively engage in public organizing by voicing concerns and advocating for change to raise awareness of the problems that require attention.
Moreover, another group of stakeholders is called “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBYs) stakeholders. These stakeholders are not likely to be involved in a project, but if they are, they might threaten the success of a project. NIMBYs are local groups or residential stakeholders who resist new developments or projects due to the concern about property values, noise, aesthetics, or negative impact on their communities. These stakeholders can block or delay a project’s success through public opposition or legal challenges when they are involved. Examples of NIMBYs include homeowners, community leaders, and business owners.
“Influential stakeholders” or “key stakeholders” are also another group of stakeholders who can position themselves to take action related to projects and have powers to influence decision-makers and make decisions (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). These groups or individuals usually significantly impact the outcome of projects because of their social influence, resources, and authority. These stakeholders include project sponsors, government officials, and financial institutions. The best way to approach these stakeholders is by crafting a well-researched project proposal and tailoring it to the funders’ specific objectives and interests while highlighting the project’s potential returns on investment with its risk mitigation strategies.
Besides, certain groups of stakeholders by stereotype or reputation are primarily likely to be associated with having strong interests in the specific policies or services because their engagement can impact the project’s success. For example, labor unions are normally interested in procedures associated with labor that impact the conditions and rights of workers. Corporations and businesses are often perceived to have an interest in regulatory and economic policies since they directly influence their operations and profitability (Harris et al., 2020). Healthcare providers highlight policies affecting healthcare reimbursement, access, and service quality.
Furthermore, the stakeholders’ groups (demographic, patient characteristics, or discipline) that may have not been thought of but are known to belong to these groups include consumer advocacy groups, rural communities, and civil rights and minority groups. However, the opinions of consumer advocacy groups would be concerned with the policies affecting fair business practices, product safety, and consumer rights. On the other hand, the opinions from rural communities would be interested in procedures associated with rural development, infrastructure, agriculture, and the accessibility of services such as education and healthcare (Harris et al., 2020). Lastly, the opinions of civil rights and minority groups would be interested in policies addressing racial and social justice, immigration, civil liberties, and discrimination.
The individuals or agencies involved in similar projects as those done by a particular organization are called competitors. Nonetheless, their support can benefit a project provided that it aligns with the standards and the industry-wide goals of the project (Robinson, 2009). Moreover, the activists whose energy should be harnessed in a project are Environmental and Youth Activists. Furthermore, other activists who may have time to invest in taking action for the project are called Dedicated Community Activists, Passionate Volunteers, and Full Time Advocacy Institutions.
Besides, it is essential to note that opinion leaders play a crucial role in a project’s success. According to Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2019), opinion leaders are entities or individuals within an industry or community holding substantial influence over the views and ideas of other people. People listen to opinion leaders because they believe in their expertise and anticipate valuable insights (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). Opinion leaders are experts in their industry or field since they possess experience and knowledge that other people respect.
There are also many other stakeholders who have a stake in changes to a project. These stakeholders include community members who live where the project is located. These members can be concerned with how the project may impact their daily lives, environment, and property values. Another group of these stakeholders is the nonprofitable foundations. These stakeholders are interested in a project that supports their initiatives or is aligned with their missions. Therefore, a project manager can make informed decisions by identifying the impact of various groups of stakeholders to mitigate risks and build support for project success.
References
Harris, J. L., Roussel, L., Dearman, C. & Thomas, P. L. (2020). Project planning and management: A guide for nurses and interprofessional teams (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Melnyk, B. M. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Robinson, L. (2009). A Summary of Diffusion of Innovations.
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