Process: Identify Stakeholders
Process Group: Initiating
Knowledge Area: Project Stakeholder Management
Purpose
The Identify Stakeholders process involves identifying individuals, groups, or organizations that may affect or be affected by the project, and documenting relevant information regarding their interests, involvement, influence, and impact. This is a foundational step to ensure effective stakeholder engagement throughout the project.
Inputs
- Project Charter – Contains initial stakeholder information and the project’s high-level purpose and objectives.
- Business Documents – Especially the business case and benefits management plan, which provide context for stakeholder alignment.
- Agreements – Contracts or other formal agreements that identify stakeholders.
- Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs) – Such as organizational culture, geographic distribution, or regulatory environment.
- Organizational Process Assets (OPAs) – Historical stakeholder lists, lessons learned, and communication standards.
Tools and Techniques
- Expert Judgment – Used to identify stakeholders based on experience and prior knowledge.
- Data Gathering – Includes questionnaires, surveys, and brainstorming to uncover stakeholders.
- Data Analysis –
- Stakeholder analysis: Identifies interests, influence, expectations, and potential impact.
- Document analysis: Reviews business plans, charters, or historical documents for stakeholder mentions.
- Data Representation –
- Power/Interest Grid
- Power/Influence Grid
- Impact/Influence Grid
These models visually categorize stakeholders to prioritize engagement strategies.
- Meetings – Used to confirm stakeholder roles and validate findings.
Outputs
- Stakeholder Register – A living document that includes:
- Name and contact information
- Position and role in the project
- Level of interest, influence, and impact
- Engagement strategy or expectations
Role in the Process Group and Knowledge Area
- As part of the Initiating Process Group, this process ensures that key individuals and groups are identified early, setting the foundation for stakeholder engagement and communication planning.
- Within Project Stakeholder Management, it is the cornerstone for all future stakeholder-related activities.
Why It Matters
- Enables Early Engagement – Identifying stakeholders early allows you to manage expectations and secure buy-in before risks arise.
- Improves Communication – Ensures the right people receive the right information at the right time.
- Reduces Resistance – Helps mitigate opposition by understanding and addressing concerns early.
- Supports Project Success – Projects with strong stakeholder engagement are more likely to meet their objectives.