Engaging Stakeholders on Projects: Interview with Elizabeth Harrin

TL;DR

Elizabeth Harring is an experienced project manager and author who discusses the importance of stakeholder engagement in project management and highlights key concepts from her latest book.

Transcript

elizabeth harring is an experienced project manager who runs the girls guide to pm website and the fabulous project management cafe group on facebook and if you're not a member you really should be and like me she's an author and she's written six print books with numerous ebooks as well and that's a lot and they're all closely related to project m... Read More

Key Insights

• 📽️ Elizabeth Harring's book on engaging stakeholders on projects is highly recommended for both new and experienced project managers.
• 🥺 Stakeholder engagement leads to increased commitment, input, and overall project success.
• 🏍️ The stakeholder life cycle concept and the saliency model are valuable tools for understanding and managing stakeholder relationships.
• 🍉 Prioritizing time and energy when engaging stakeholders is crucial, as not all stakeholders are equal in terms of influence and impact.
• 📽️ Elizabeth Harring's other books cover various project management topics, including customer-centric project management and essential skills for beginners.
• ✳️ Understanding proximity and including it in risk management processes is vital for a comprehensive understanding of project risks.
• 📽️ The roles and responsibilities document is a valuable stakeholder engagement tool applicable to any project.
• ✊ Prioritizing stakeholder engagement based on legitimacy, power, and urgency helps manage expectations and allocate resources effectively.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is stakeholder engagement important for project managers?

Stakeholder engagement is crucial for project managers as it increases input, commitment, and attention to project work. Engaging stakeholders reduces the need for constant follow-up and creates a more enjoyable work environment.

Q: What were Elizabeth's favorite parts to write about in her book on stakeholder engagement?

Elizabeth enjoyed breaking down complex ideas into simple terms, such as the formula "understanding + action + influence = engagement." She also found the stakeholder life cycle concept, which aligns stakeholder involvement with the project life cycle, to be a creative and engaging aspect to write about.

Q: What is stakeholder saliency, and how does it affect project management?

Stakeholder saliency is a model that measures the priority given to stakeholders based on their legitimacy, power, and urgency. It helps project managers determine how much effort and attention to allocate to different stakeholders' claims and issues.

Q: Which aspects of stakeholder engagement are often overlooked or underemphasized?

Urgency is often overlooked in stakeholder engagement, as project managers tend to focus more on power dynamics and legitimacy. Understanding the level of urgency a stakeholder demands can help prioritize and manage their expectations effectively.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Elizabeth Harring is an experienced project manager and author who has written six print books and numerous ebooks on project management.

• Her latest book, "Engaging Stakeholders on Projects," published in September 2020, focuses on the importance of stakeholder engagement for project managers.

• The book is recommended for both new and experienced project managers, offering practical insights and strategies for effective stakeholder engagement.