Monitor Stakeholder Engagement
An ongoing activity to track stakeholder relationships and adjust how stakeholders are engaged by updating engagement approaches and plans as needs change.
Key Points
- Continuously assess stakeholder interest, influence, and engagement levels against what was planned.
- Use feedback, meetings, issue logs, and performance data to detect shifts in stakeholder needs or attitudes.
- Modify engagement strategies and the stakeholder engagement plan when gaps or risks are identified.
- Promote two-way communication, manage concerns promptly, and confirm changes are effective over time.
Example
During a CRM implementation, the PM notices support agents are less responsive to workshops and a key sponsor is missing reviews. The team gathers feedback, updates the stakeholder engagement plan to add targeted demos and short executive briefings, assigns a liaison to the sponsor, and tracks engagement weekly. Participation and sponsorship involvement improve in the following sprint.
PMP Example Question
Midway through a project, surveys show several influential stakeholders have become neutral instead of supportive. What should the project manager do next?
- Escalate to the sponsor and request a change in project scope.
- Continue with the current plan and wait for the next phase gate.
- Review stakeholder feedback, adjust engagement strategies, and update the stakeholder engagement plan.
- Log the issue and update only the risk register.
Correct Answer: C — Review feedback and adapt engagement strategies and plans.
Explanation: Monitor Stakeholder Engagement focuses on observing stakeholder relationships and tailoring engagement by modifying strategies and plans when alignment shifts.
