OP and stakeholder engagement (2023)

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Last post 12:37 pm Sep 4, 2021 by Nguyen Thi Hoa Bich

11 answers

wounded Flavia

9:49 p.m., April 3, 2021

Hey guys,

I have some doubts about the role of the Po and the stakeholders.

Reading Scrum Scrum I understood that the PO is the main reference to involve the stakeholders according to the descriptions of events and responsibilities, however the Scrum guide also says: The Scrum Team is responsible for all the activities related to the product starting from the work with the stakeholders [..].

then; Who is primarily responsible for working with stakeholders?

what if i got the same questions on the exam and had all the options (PO, SM, whole scrum team, developers),

what would be the right question?

Thanks

Flavia

Ian Mitchell

11:19 p.m., April 3, 2021

The Scrum Guide says that the Product Owner can represent the needs of many stakeholders in the Product Backlog, but where does it say that the aPO would be the “primary reference” to include them?

Scott Anthony Keatinge

(Video) The Tyranny of Order:Balancing Stakeholder Need & Being a Force for Good | John Stroup | TEDxClayton

5:26 a.m. April 4, 2021

The Scrum Guide references stakeholders twice

The Scrum Team is responsible for all product-related activities from stakeholder collaboration, verification, maintenance, operations, experimentation, research and development, and anything else that might be needed.

SM obedient PO:

Facilitate stakeholder collaboration as needed or required.

The Scrum Guide refers to stakeholders eleven times

Definition:

The Scrum Team and its stakeholders review the results and adjust them for the next sprint.

Values:

The Scrum Team and its stakeholders are open about the work and challenges.

AFTER:

The product owner can represent the needs of many stakeholders in the product backlog.

Anyone who wants to change the product backlog can do so by trying to persuade the product owner.

SM serves to organize:

  • Help employees and stakeholders understand and implement an empirical approach to complex work
  • Removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum teams.

Sprint Planning Topic One:

The entire scrum team works together to define a sprint goal that communicates why the sprint is valuable to stakeholders.

Sprint recap:

The Scrum team presents the results of its work to key stakeholders and progress towards the product goal is discussed.

During the event, the Scrum Team and stakeholders review what was accomplished in the sprint and what has changed in its environment.

Artifacts:

These commitments exist to reinforce the empiricism and values ​​of Scrum for the Scrum Team and its stakeholders.

Product Purpose:

A product is a vehicle for delivering value. It has a clear boundary, known stakeholders, well-defined users or customers. A product can be a service, a physical product, or something more abstract.

Growth:

However, an increment can be delivered to stakeholders before the end of the sprint.

The Sprint Review should never be seen as a gateway to unlocking value.

One of the most important phrases to remember and understand is this one from the PO section:

The Product Owner may perform the above work or delegate the responsibility to others. Regardless, the product owner remains liable.

Daniel Wilhit

(Video) IN-4-AHA: "Our strategy for Stakeholder Engagement"

3:04 p.m., April 5, 2021

then; Who is primarily responsible for working with stakeholders?

Why does there have to be a "primary owner"? The Scrum Team is accountable to stakeholders and will interact with them at various times. The Scrum Team is defined as Scrum Master, Product Owner and Developer. For me, all of this means that every member of the Scrum Team can interact with stakeholders at any time if needed.

If I had to say that there is a responsible person in the Scrum Team, I would say that the Scrum Master is responsible based on what I said in the Scrum Guide section on Scrum Master Responsibilities

  • Facilitate stakeholder collaboration as needed or required.

  • Help staff and stakeholders understand and implement an empirical approach to complex work; AND,

  • Removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum teams.

wounded Flavia

8:23 a.m., April 7, 2021

Hi Daniel,

I would still go to the Product Owner when talking to stakeholders to understand the needs and requirements that need to be added to the Product Backlog. I see the Scrum Master as a leader who serves to help when needed or to interact with stakeholders. Anyone can talk to stakeholders on the Scrum Team (i.e. Sprint Review) or beyond, but I see the Product Owner as the leader in the stakeholder conversation. If stakeholders need to speak to someone on the Scrum Team to clarify something or ask a question, who should they call? I would reply to the product owner

am I completely wrong and maybe influenced by what I see in my workplace?

Thanks

Flavia

Scott Anthony Keatinge

8:42 a.m. April 7, 2021

While one of the responsibilities of the PO is stakeholder management, the PO should not act as an intermediary for developers, as it should allow developers to contact stakeholders directly with questions.

This is covered in one of the misunderstood PO positions.

wounded Flavia

(Video) May 13, 2022, 3:00 PM ET CDC ME/CFS Stakeholder Engagement and Communication (SEC) Call

8:54 a.m. April 7, 2021

Thanks Anthony, so basically no one is responsible for being the main point of contact for stakeholders and the entire Scrum team manages stakeholder engagement?

Flavia

Anjali Deshmukh

11:29 a.m., April 7, 2021

In my opinion, the answer for “primary stakeholder engagement” would be Scrum Team.

VD Tran

12:30 p.m., April 7, 2021

Even if no one is explicitly named as responsible for stakeholder engagement, I think the PO can, of course, assume that responsibility, as it is the PO who primarily engages them.

It also depends on the stakeholder, I've worked with stakeholders who talk to developers, others who only talk to the PO.

Daniel Wilhit

2:20 p.m., April 7, 2021

(Video) Stakeholder Management - Practice Questions

If you read my answer, I said "if I...". The first part of my answer is my true belief that there is no primary contact. Everyone on the team must communicate openly and continuously with stakeholders. The Scrum Master is the only role in the Scrum Guide that mentions stakeholders when discussing the role.

Sure, the product owner needs your input to determine product needs and directions. However, developers need input from stakeholders to answer questions and provide feedback on the work done. Although the Scrum Master is the only one who mentions stakeholders in the description, he actually has very few stakeholder needs as his main focus is on the Scrum Team and the organization in which the Scrum Team exists. All of this evidence supports my thoughts that there is no primary contact.

Simon Maier

6:43 a.m. on April 8, 2021

Low stakeholder engagement can be both a symptom and a cause of the Scrum Team not working as it should.

As such, it can be a useful element in helping the Scrum Team identify opportunities for improvement.
Understanding the reasons for low engagement would be an important part of determining how to adapt.

Developers are responsible for adhering to the definition of Done. If there is no "done" increment, this can result in stakeholders being disconnected.

The Product Owner is responsible for a number of things (as described in the Scrum Guide) that, if not done effectively, can undermine stakeholder engagement.
For example, the product owner may actively choose to engage stakeholders to uncover key insights and ultimately manage the backlog more efficiently.

If stakeholders get disconnected because they don't understand Scrum, it could be the fault of the Scrum Master.
If a lack of stakeholder engagement is impeding the Scrum Team's progress, the Scrum Master can look for ways to involve stakeholders.

Nguyen Thi Hoa Bich

4:22 am September 4, 2021

The Scrum Guide said:

Scrum teams are cross-functional, which means that members have all the skills they need to create value in each sprint. They are also self-governing, which means they decide internally who does what, when and how.

Therefore, it does not matter who is primarily responsible for the stakeholder dialogue, as they can decide for themselves. You can even designate product owners or scrum masters or developers.

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FAQs

How do you demonstrate stakeholder engagement skills? ›

Interacting with the board and the wider business may be relatively new for some departments, so here are some ways to improve internal stakeholder engagement skills.
  1. Identify and prioritise key stakeholders. ...
  2. Understand and align stakeholder expectations. ...
  3. Proactively resolve disputes. ...
  4. Speak plainly.

How do you answer stakeholder analysis? ›

How do I analyze my stakeholders?
  1. Identify project stakeholders.
  2. Assess stakeholders (by interest, influence, knowledge about your project, level of support, etc.)
  3. Categorize stakeholders into groups that share similar interests and needs.
  4. Identify effective engagement strategies for each group.
Feb 4, 2022

What is stakeholder engagement in your own words 5? ›

Stakeholder engagement is the process by which companies communicate and get to know their stakeholders. By getting to know them, companies are able to better understand what they want, when they want it, how engaged they are and how the companies' plans and actions will affect their goals.

What is stakeholder engagement examples? ›

A key strategy for stakeholder engagement is consistently communicating company activity. For Coca-Cola, this means communicating with the launch of a new product, the promotion of a new community initiative, or the release of a Super Bowl ad—messages it calls “News from The Coca-Cola Company”.

How do you answer stakeholder management interview questions? ›

You can highlight your leadership style and explain why it's suitable for the job. You can also use examples to explain how the style helped you achieve positive results in your previous roles. Alternatively, you can identify specific tasks in the job description and relate them to the leadership approach.

How do you demonstrate strong stakeholder management? ›

Successful stakeholder management demonstrates good communication and organisational skills, alongside a strong grasp of the business's goals. In interviews, candidates will often be asked how they would navigate stakeholder management, as it is crucial to the success of a business and team member performance.

What are five examples of stakeholder engagement strategies methods? ›

Here are five strategies owners should expect their project management teams to employ as part of a successful stakeholder engagement plan:
  • Know your audience. If possible, know as much about your stakeholder participants as possible. ...
  • Prepare your participants. ...
  • Frame the discussion. ...
  • Make it interactive. ...
  • Get people talking.
Jun 22, 2020

How do you demonstrate good stakeholder management? ›

Use the following five steps to do so:
  1. Summarize Each Stakeholder's Status. ...
  2. Decide What You Want From Each Stakeholder. ...
  3. Identify Your Key Message to Each Stakeholder. ...
  4. Identify Your Stakeholder Communication Approach. ...
  5. Implement Your Stakeholder Management Plan.

What is an example of how you have worked with stakeholder management answer? ›

Example: "When working on a project, I start by listening to the main concerns and goals from each stakeholder group and identifying the key areas of overlap. If multiple stakeholders have shared priorities, I make their objectives a top concern in my own workflow to show that I value and appreciate their input.

How would you respond to your stakeholders? ›

How to deal with difficult stakeholders
  1. Identify your stakeholders. Before you can manage difficult stakeholders, it's important that you can identify your stakeholders. ...
  2. Categorize and prioritize them. ...
  3. Stay calm. ...
  4. Listen carefully. ...
  5. Understand their motivation. ...
  6. Be objective. ...
  7. Respond quickly to issues. ...
  8. Be firm, if necessary.
Sep 29, 2021

What is the key to effective stakeholder engagement? ›

Targeted Communication: The Key to Effective Stakeholder Engagement☆

What makes an effective stakeholder engagement? ›

Effective stakeholder engagement requires the project professional to focus on understanding different perspectives and to address these in order to achieve the intended outcomes. Stakeholders who support the project can be used to influence stakeholders who do not.

What is a good stakeholder example? ›

Examples of important stakeholders for a business include its shareholders, customers, suppliers, and employees. Some of these stakeholders, such as the shareholders and the employees, are internal to the business.

What are the four main aspects of stakeholder engagement? ›

Four steps towards effective engagement
  • Stakeholder identification. The first and most important step is to pin down both internal and external stakeholders. ...
  • Setting up a stakeholder engagement plan. ...
  • Continuous stakeholder interaction. ...
  • Reporting back to stakeholders.
Dec 13, 2022

How do you demonstrate stakeholder management in an interview? ›

Stakeholder Management
  1. Describe a time when your communication and interpersonal skills helped in dealing with difficult clients/colleagues?
  2. Give an example of a win-win situation you negotiated?
  3. Describe a situation where you were given feedback on your performance that wasn't what you had hoped for?
Mar 13, 2021

How do you build relationship with stakeholders? ›

How to Build Good Relationships With Project Stakeholders
  1. Understand who the stakeholders are. ...
  2. Pinpoint stakeholders with high levels of power and influence. ...
  3. Engage in a one-to-one conversation. ...
  4. Seek to understand their world. ...
  5. Communicate with clarity and honesty. ...
  6. Continuously demonstrate your competence.

What is excellent stakeholder management? ›

Powerful stakeholder management involves tracking the impact your work has on the communities in which you operate, while maximizing transparency and accountability. Keep your activities and communication aligned with the interests of your stakeholders, and you'll produce much more effective outcomes.

What does a good stakeholder engagement plan look like? ›

A good stakeholder engagement plan should we well researched and well structured. It should include stakeholder identification, their interest levels, their power and influence on the organisation and/or project. For example; is your stakeholder a decision-maker, or impartial?

What are 6 effective way to communicate with stakeholders? ›

7 ways to effectively communicate with your stakeholders
  • Identify key stakeholders and plan communications. ...
  • Email and e-newsletters. ...
  • Communication automation. ...
  • Presentations. ...
  • Project Summary Reports. ...
  • Group video call or 'screen to screen' meetings. ...
  • Leverage informal stakeholder communications.
Aug 13, 2021

What are the five key questions that must be answered for stakeholder management to be successful? ›

Five key questions to ask stakeholders
  • Describe the purpose of this project in your own words.
  • What's the most important thing for us to get right?
  • How would you characterise the target audience?
  • If you could ask users one thing, what would it be?
  • How will you know if this is successful?
Nov 4, 2019

How would you describe your stakeholder management skills? ›

Stakeholder management is the process of maintaining good relationships with the people who have most impact on your work. Communicating with each one in the right way can play a vital part in keeping them "on board."

What are two skills you need to demonstrate when interacting with stakeholders? ›

Strong verbal and written communication skills. Listening skills. People-oriented – truly caring about the stakeholders and their needs, concerns and wants.

How do you build good working relationships with stakeholders? ›

How to Build Good Relationships With Project Stakeholders
  1. Understand who the stakeholders are. ...
  2. Pinpoint stakeholders with high levels of power and influence. ...
  3. Engage in a one-to-one conversation. ...
  4. Seek to understand their world. ...
  5. Communicate with clarity and honesty. ...
  6. Continuously demonstrate your competence.

Videos

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(Speedilytech Team)
2. Patrick Bouts - Stakeholder Management
(Quintessence)
3. Monitoring Stakeholder Engagement | Engineering Project Management
(Stream social)
4. CIGLR Minute: Stakeholder Engagement
(CIGLR um)
5. Public and Stakeholder Engagement: Getting Your Story Out
(Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation)
6. TAM Webinar 37: Communicating the TAMP and Stakeholder Engagement
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References

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