Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Master the process of identifying all project stakeholders and analyzing their influence, power, and interest.
• Develop and implement a tailored **Stakeholder Engagement Plan** to secure and maintain support.
• Design a comprehensive **Communications Management Plan** detailing what, when, how, and to whom information is delivered.
• Master techniques for communicating effectively with executives, team members, and external parties.
• Apply active listening and advanced negotiation skills to manage expectations and resolve conflicts.
• Utilize the **Power/Interest Grid** and other models to prioritize engagement efforts.
• Develop effective performance reports and project presentations tailored to specific stakeholder needs.
• Identify and mitigate communication barriers, cultural differences, and political complexities in projects.

• Project Managers and Team Leaders
• Business Analysts and Change Management Specialists
• Project Management Office (PMO) Staff
• Anyone whose project success depends on cooperation from multiple departments or external clients
• Sponsors and Managers needing to effectively communicate project status

• Group Workshop: Conducting a Stakeholder Analysis and Developing an Engagement Strategy using the Power/Interest Grid
• Role-Playing: Managing a Conflict with a Difficult Stakeholder and Leading a High-Stakes Status Update
• Individual Exercises: Drafting a Communications Management Plan and Tailored Executive Status Report
• Case Studies: Analyzing a project failure caused by poor stakeholder engagement and communication breakdown
• Discussions: Strategies for communicating project status to a distributed, global team

Unit 1: Stakeholder Identification and Analysis

• Mastering the process of identifying all internal and external **Project Stakeholders**.
• Techniques for using tools like the **Power/Interest Grid** and Salience Model for analysis.
• Assessing stakeholder influence, interest, impact, and current vs. desired engagement levels.
• Developing and maintaining the **Stakeholder Register** and keeping analysis up-to-date.

Unit 2: Stakeholder Engagement Planning and Management

Strategy and Influence
• Developing a customized **Stakeholder Engagement Plan** with targeted strategies for each group.
• Techniques for influencing stakeholders to gain buy-in and maintain sustained support.
• Strategies for managing resistance to change and handling difficult or aggressive stakeholders.
• The importance of managing expectations and establishing clear roles and boundaries.

Unit 3: Communications Planning and Delivery

Protocol and Channels
• Developing a comprehensive **Communications Management Plan** (formats, channels, frequency).
• Understanding communication models (Sender-Receiver, Interactive) and identifying communication barriers.
• Selecting the appropriate communication method based on the message content and audience sensitivity.
• Techniques for effective formal (reports, presentations) and informal communication.

Unit 4: Performance Reporting and Information Management

Clarity and Transparency
• Developing clear, concise, and tailored **Performance Reports** for executive and operational audiences.
• Techniques for communicating negative project news (e.g., risk events, schedule delays) transparently.
• Establishing a project information management system (e.g., SharePoint, PMIS) for central document control.
• The ethical and legal responsibilities in distributing project information.

Unit 5: Advanced Engagement and Conflict Resolution

Politics and People
• Mastering active listening and advanced **Negotiation Skills** for conflict resolution.
• Strategies for navigating organizational politics and understanding hidden agendas.
• Managing stakeholder engagement in different organizational cultures and international settings.
• Techniques for building a collaborative environment and turning opponents into champions.