Identifying Project Stakeholders

Micro Learning Unit

The main stakeholder in any project is the client. The client is the one whose needs are the driving force behind the project and is likely to be the one who will derive the most benefit from the project upon its completion.

Differentiation must be made between the paying clients and the clients who are the ultimate end users of the project’s outcome. When estimating a project’s success or failure, the primary indicator is client value. If the end user client does not derive the expected value from the project deliverables, then the project has failed—even if the project has met all the objectives set out by the paying client.

Identifying stakeholders is essential both for managing the involvement of those who derive some benefit from the project, and for managing the objections of those with whom the project results do not benefit.

The stakeholders in the project may be many and varied, including:

The Client
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Internal or external customer that directly benefits from the project; Has direct impact on project goals; Dictating how certain activities will be carried out; Giving instructions to the project manager; Has some responsibility to complete various tasks in the project
End User
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Anyone who will ultimately use the product or service developed within the project’s framework; the project’s success or failure largely depends on their willingness to avail themselves of the deliverables
Project Sponsor
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A central figure with a high investment in project targets and deliverables; this stakeholder is usually actively involved in the decision making process, and is often in charge of the project’s budget
The Project Manager
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Responsible for leading the project; Responsible for planning and controlling the project; Reports on project progress to all stakeholders and parties involved; Develops and motivates the project team; Removes obstacles from the way; Navigating the depths of corporate politics
Other Miscellaneous Stakeholders
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Anyone who is not necessarily interested in the project or its outcome but who is nonetheless affected by it—sometimes significantly—due to environmental, organizational, or social factors; for example, the Environmental Protection Agency or other ’Green’ agencies
Team Member
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Responsible for carrying out various tasks in the project; Acts according to instruction from his supervisor; Reports to his immediate superior
Key Team Member
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Has significant knowledge or expertise relevant to the project; Assist the project manager; Has a unique contribution to the planning and progress of the project; Responsible for the progress and completion of various tasks in the project
Supplier
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Has significant knowledge or expertise relevant to the project; Assist the project manager; Has a unique contribution to the planning and progress of the project; Responsible for the progress and completion of various tasks in the project
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In general, the stakeholders in the project can be presented in an inverted pyramid which:

  • At the bottom is the team assigned to the project, which the project manager formally manages – whether by virtue of authority or not.
  • In the middle are the “players” in the project, those stakeholders who play some role in the project but are not part of the project team.
  • At the top of the pyramid are stakeholders who have some interest in the project, whether as beneficiaries of it or as opposed to it.

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