Engagement of people
Engagement of people in project management is the active involvement and commitment of stakeholders to the project’s objectives, goals and objectives. It is the process of motivating, inspiring and encouraging people to become involved in the project and to take ownership of the project’s success. It requires easy communication, collaboration and consultation between all stakeholders, so that everyone feels a sense of responsibility for the project’s outcome. Engagement also involves creating a safe and supportive working culture, with everyone feeling that their input is valued and respected. It is essential in order to ensure that all project objectives are achieved.
Example of engagement of people
- Holding regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss the project’s progress and objectives.
- Creating an open and inclusive environment where stakeholders can voice their opinions and concerns.
- Encouraging collaboration between stakeholders by setting up forums and discussion groups.
- Providing rewards and recognition to stakeholders who contribute to the project’s success.
- Involving stakeholders in the decision making process and giving them the opportunity to influence the project’s direction.
- Ensuring that communication between stakeholders is frequent and clear.
- Ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the project’s goals and objectives and the progress made towards them.
- Encouraging stakeholders to take ownership of the project and contribute to its success.
Best practices of engagement of people
- Establish clear roles and responsibilities: It is important to assign roles and responsibilities for each stakeholder, and to ensure that everyone understands their individual contributions. This will help to keep everyone focused on the project’s objectives.
- Foster an open and collaborative working environment: Encourage stakeholders to openly communicate their ideas and perspectives. This will help to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page and that decisions are made collaboratively.
- Encourage meaningful stakeholder participation: Make sure that stakeholders have an opportunity to have their voices heard and that their opinions are taken into consideration. This will help to create an environment of trust and respect.
- Use effective communication tools: Utilize appropriate tools for communication, such as video conferencing, instant messaging and email, to keep everyone informed and up to date.
- Provide regular feedback: Provide regular feedback on the project’s progress and the stakeholders’ performance. This will help to keep everyone motivated and engaged.
- Celebrate success: Celebrate successes throughout the project, both big and small, to show stakeholders that their efforts are appreciated. This will help to foster a sense of ownership and pride in the project’s outcomes.
When to use engagement of people
Engagement of people in project management is an essential part of successful project delivery. It is a key factor in ensuring that stakeholders are actively involved in the project, and that the project’s objectives are met. Engagement should be used during the following stages of the project:
- At the start of the project, to ensure that all stakeholders understand their roles and the objectives of the project.
- Throughout the project, to provide a safe and supportive working culture and to ensure that everyone is aware of the progress of the project.
- During the review and evaluation stages, to ensure that all stakeholders are actively engaged in the project and that the project is on track to meet its objectives.
- At the end of the project, to ensure that all stakeholders have been engaged in the project and to provide feedback on the project’s performance.
Steps of engagement of people
Engaging people in project management is essential for the successful completion of a project. Here are some steps to take to ensure effective people engagement:
- Establish a clear purpose and vision: All stakeholders must understand the project’s purpose and vision and be able to articulate it.
- Set up a stakeholder engagement plan: This should include a list of key stakeholders, their roles, and the methods of communication they will use to stay in touch with the project.
- Identify and involve stakeholders: All stakeholders should be identified and invited to participate in the project.
- Establish a culture of collaboration: People should be encouraged to work together and share information freely.
- Provide feedback and recognition: Regular feedback should be provided to stakeholders and recognition should be given for their contributions.
- Develop effective communication: Effective communication should be established between all stakeholders to ensure that everyone is kept in the loop.
- Monitor progress and make adjustments: The progress of the project should be regularly monitored and adjustments should be made as needed.
Advantages of engagement of people
Engagement of people in project management is essential to ensure successful project outcomes. There are several advantages of engaging stakeholders in the project, including:
- Increased understanding of the project objectives: engagement ensures that all stakeholders understand the project objectives, helping to reduce confusion or misinterpretation of the project goals.
- Increased motivation and commitment: when stakeholders are involved from the beginning, they are more likely to be committed to the project and to take ownership of the results.
- Improved communication: engagement ensures that everyone is on the same page, as stakeholders can discuss and clarify any questions or concerns they may have.
- Increased trust and collaboration: when stakeholders are involved in the project, they are more likely to trust each other and work together to achieve the project goals.
- Improved quality of work: when stakeholders are engaged, they are able to provide feedback on the project, which helps to ensure that the final product is of the highest quality.
| Engagement of people — recommended articles |
| Development of relationship — Effectiveness of teamwork — Teamwork quality — Leadership and followership — Functions of coordinating — Management effectiveness — Importance of trust — Roles of team leader — Stakeholder management strategies |
References
- Mukherjee, S. (2019). How stakeholder engagement affects IT projects. Available at SSRN 3415959.
