Week 2 Discussion

It is noted in this week’s lesson that the success of a project comes from the contribution of many different people or stakeholders. As it is indicated in our text “working successfully in these new project-oriented organizations requires that project managers and project team members recognize the different people who define and influence the work environment, understand their unique roles, and know how to work with these people to create the greatest chances for successfully completing projects” (Portny, Mantel, Meredith, “Shafer, Sutton, & Kramer, 2008, p. 60). Mohammadreza (2008) acknowledges “stakeholders as individuals and organizations that are actively involved in the works, or whose interests may be affected as a result of works execution or completion” (p. 1). We look at these stakeholders as those who need to be regarded in accomplishing project goals and whose participation and support are vital to the project success. “Stakeholders include anyone who will be affected by a project or anyone who can manipulate it” (Johnston, 2013). According to Duff (2013) “every project has diverse groups of stakeholders.” However, we find that stakeholders can have either a positive or negative effect on a project. The concern is those who have a negative impact on the project. It is noted that diverse types of stakeholders are engaged in a variety of ways in the many stages of the project, from collecting and providing information, to discussion, exchange of ideas, collaboration, and alliance. Full participation of stakeholders is needed in both project design and implementation is order to promote success. Therefore, it is vital to identify all the stakeholders who could hinder the progress of a project. “The best way to handle the potential negative influence of stakeholders on a project is to identify all potential stakeholders, all potential problems associated with those stakeholder groups and take steps to settle the problems prior to planning the project”

References: Duff, V. (2013). How can stakeholders negatively influence a project? Retrieved May 13, 2013 from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/can-stakeholders-negatively-influence-project-36026.html. Johnston, K. (2013). What is a stakeholder in project management? Retrieved May 13, 2013 from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/stakeholder-project-management-55835.html. Karim, S.B.A. (2007). Issues and strategies in stakeholder management. Retrieved May 13, 2013 from http://www.academia.edu/172847/Issues_and_Strategies_in_Stakeholder_Management. Mohammadreza, H. (2008). A systematic stakeholder’s management approach for protecting the spirit of cultural heritiage sites. Retrieve May 13, 2013 from http://openarchive.icomos.org/41/1/77-CP7D-12.pdf. Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.