Stakeholder Alignment: The Secret to a Successful Project
When a client brings you a design project, it is important to first conduct research and communicate with all the stakeholders involved. This will help you understand if the goals and priorities are in sync and if the mission or vision is clear. If there are any misalignments or uncertainties, it is like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. Proceeding with the project without addressing these foundational issues can lead to disastrous outcomes.
Potential Consequences of Stakeholder Misalignment
1. The client is dissatisfied with the final results.
If the project does not align with the client's expectations or fails to meet their specific needs, they will likely feel disappointed and unhappy. This not only damages the client's trust in your abilities but also tarnishes your professional reputation.
2. The client becomes disengaged.
Without the client's active participation and input, you are essentially working in the dark, leading to a lack of clarity and direction. This disengagement can hinder progress, increase the likelihood of mistakes, and ultimately result in a mediocre final product.
3. The ability to effectively collaborate dwindles.
Without a clear understanding of the project's objectives, misunderstandings and conflicts are likely to arise. This can create a tense working environment and hinder collaboration, making it challenging to achieve the desired outcomes.
4. The project is irreparably damaged.
If the project progresses without addressing foundational issues, the company may be forced to pivot halfway through the project after already investing a significant amount of time and money. This can have detrimental effects on the company's resources and overall success.
Putting Your Product Strategy in Jeopardy
More often than not, misalignment is also associated with inefficient communication among the team members or across departments in larger organizations. This lack of alignment can lead to misunderstandings, duplication of efforts, and wasted resources. In larger organizations, where multiple departments are involved in a project, misalignment can be even more pronounced. Each department may have its own priorities, objectives, and ways of working, leading to conflicting agendas and a lack of coordination. Delays, missed deadlines, and a loss of trust can occur as a consequence of this. Even though a client gives you a list of requirements, it is probably a better idea to take a step back and focus on aligning project goals and the problem statement first. Once you have discussed with the various parties involved, you will be able to determine whether the lack of alignment exists among executives, departments, or individuals. With this understanding, you can then determine the best course of action to address the problem.
Courses of Action to Address the Problem
1. Inform and advise the Product Owner (PO) or decision-maker first.
The opportunity to address the problem is provided to the decision maker. However, the decision maker may lack the necessary perspective to make an appropriate decision, ignore the problem completely, or take offense.
2. Run a meeting with all the parties involved.
Not all individuals will have the courage to speak up, even though the misalignments will be communicated to everyone. Furthermore, a single meeting can result in multiple meetings without any clear action being taken.
3. Conduct a strategic alignment workshop.
The misalignments will be communicated to everyone, and everyone will be involved. The process is guided and includes clear and actionable tasks after the workshop. Preparation is necessary, and there may be participants who try to disrupt the workshop. Managing difficult personalities within a group is typically more manageable for an external consultant. A short workshop, lasting just one hour, has the potential to save both you and your client valuable time, money, and frustration.
Communication, Communication, Communication!
If the stakeholders are not in agreement, it may be easy to blame them if the project does not go as planned. However, as a consultant and strategist, it is crucial for you to take responsibility and address any issues you observe early on. Effective communication is essential for the success of any project, so it is important to maintain regular and efficient communication from the beginning to the end.
By Florence Lafite