Who are Project Stakeholders in a Project?

Project stakeholders is a term used to describe all people involved in the project, from the customer to the project manager.

The Project Stakeholders are the people who have an interest in a Project. The Project Stakeholders are sometimes called Sponsors, and the Project Stakeholders may also be called Project Supporters. The Project Stakeholders and their role in the Project are discussed in detail in the next section.

Project stakeholders are individuals and organisations actively involved in the project or whose interests may be affected due to project execution or completion.

They may also exert influence over the project’s objectives and outcomes.

The project management team must identify the stakeholders, determine their requirements and expectations, and, to the extent possible, manage their influence on the requirements to ensure a successful project.

Key stakeholders in every project

Project manager. Project managers are responsible for managing the project from start to finish. They are responsible for setting goals and objectives, assigning tasks, directing resources, and monitoring progress. They must be able to work with a variety of stakeholders, including the client, team members, and other project managers.

Customer/user. The person or organization that will use the project’s product. There may be multiple layers of customers. For example, the customers for a new pharmaceutical product can include the doctors who prescribe it, the patients who take it and the insurers who pay for it. In some application areas, customer and user are synonymous, while in others, customer refers to the entity acquiring the project’s product, and users will directly utilize the project’s product.

Performing organization. The enterprise whose employees are most directly involved in the project’s work.

Project team members. The group that is performing the work of the project. Project teams are essential to the success of any project. When selecting team members, it is important to consider a number of factors, including skills, experience, personality, and compatibility.

Project management team – A project management team is a group of people who work together to complete a project. The team typically includes a project manager, a project coordinator, and various other roles depending on the size and scope of the project.

The project manager is responsible for leading the project and ensuring that it is completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards. The project coordinator assists the project manager in planning and executing the project. Other team members may include developers, testers, designers, and business analysts.

The project management team works closely with the client to ensure that the project meets their needs and expectations. They also liaise with other teams involved in the project, such as the marketing team, to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.

An effective project management team is essential for the successful completion of any project. By working together and using their skills and expertise, the team can overcome any challenges that arise and deliver a successful project.

Sponsor.

A project sponsor is an individual or organization that provides funding and resources for a project. The sponsor is also vested in the project’s success and may be involved in its governance.

In many cases, the sponsor is the project’s primary stakeholder. The sponsor may be an internal champion who is championing the project within their organization or an external stakeholder with a vested interest in the project’s success.

The sponsor is typically responsible for providing the resources necessary for the project to be successful. This may include financial resources, manpower, and other types of support. The sponsor is also typically responsible for ensuring that the project aligns with the organization’s strategic objectives.

The sponsor plays a vital role in the project management process and should be involved from the outset. The sponsor should be clear about their project expectations and provide regular feedback throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Influencers. People or groups that are not directly related to the acquisition or use of the project’s product, but due to an individual’s position in the customer organization or performing organization, can influence, positively or negatively, the course of the project.

PMO. If it exists in the performing organization, the PMO can be a stakeholder if it has direct or indirect responsibility for the project’s outcome.