Primary and secondary stakeholder
| Primary and secondary stakeholder |
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Primary stakeholders are the people directly involved in a project who have a vested interest in the success or failure of the project. These include the project team, sponsors, customers, and end users.
Secondary stakeholders are those who are affected by the project, but do not have a direct involvement in it. Examples include suppliers, vendors, local communities, regulatory bodies, and shareholders. Secondary stakeholders can be an important source of feedback and support and should be taken into account when developing a project plan.
Example of primary and secondary stakeholder
Primary Stakeholders
- Project Team: The team of individuals who are undertaking the project, such as project managers, developers, designers, and other personnel. They are responsible for planning, executing, and delivering the project.
- Sponsors: The people or organizations who are funding the project, such as a company or a government agency. They are interested in the success of the project as it will affect their investments.
- Customers: The people who are purchasing the product or service produced by the project. Their feedback is essential to ensure that the final product is usable and meets their needs.
- End Users: The people who will eventually be using the product or service produced by the project. They need to be taken into account when developing the project plan to ensure that the end product meets their needs.
Secondary Stakeholders
- Suppliers: Companies or individuals who have a vested interest in the success of the project as they are providing materials, services, or equipment to support it.
- Vendors: Companies or individuals who provide services or products to the project team or to the customers.
- Local Communities: People or groups who live or work in the area where the project is taking place. Their opinions and feedback are important for understanding the impact of the project on the local area.
- Regulatory Bodies: Government or industry bodies that have a vested interest in the success of the project as it will affect their regulations and standards.
- Shareholders: People or organizations who have a financial interest in the success of the project, such as companies that are investing in the project or individuals who have purchased stock in the company.
Best practices of primary and secondary stakeholder
- Primary stakeholders should be identified early on in the project planning process and included in all key decisions. It is important that primary stakeholders have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and have access to the necessary resources to complete their tasks. Communication should be open and frequent to ensure stakeholders are kept informed of progress and any changes to the project. Also, the project team should proactively identify and manage any potential risks or conflicts that may arise.
- Secondary stakeholders should be acknowledged and taken into account when developing a project plan. It is important to identify who they are and how they may be affected by the project, as well as their likely level of interest. Communication should be established with secondary stakeholders to ensure they understand the project goals and how they may be impacted. The project team should also identify any potential risks or conflicts which may arise and take appropriate action to manage them. Additionally, feedback from secondary stakeholders should be sought and taken into account to ensure the project plan is aligned with their interests.
Advantages of primary and secondary stakeholder
Primary and secondary stakeholders can play an important role in the success of any project. The advantages of engaging these stakeholders include:
- Improved communication - Primary and secondary stakeholders provide a valuable feedback loop and can help identify potential problems before they arise. This can help the project team anticipate and address issues before they become major problems.
- Increased buy-in - When stakeholders are involved in the project, they are more likely to support it and take ownership of its success. This can lead to increased commitment and a greater likelihood of success.
- Increased understanding - Engaging stakeholders can provide the project team with a better understanding of the project's objectives, scope, and requirements, allowing them to make better decisions.
- Reduced risk - Engaging stakeholders can help to identify and address any potential risks before they become a problem. This can help to reduce the overall risk of the project.
Limitations of primary and secondary stakeholder
One of the main limitations of primary and secondary stakeholders is that they may not have the same level of influence or control over the project. Additionally, they may not be aware of the project's goals or timeline, or may not be familiar with the project management process. Furthermore, they may not be able to provide the same level of feedback and support as the primary stakeholders. Finally, they may not have access to the same resources and information as the primary stakeholders, which can limit their ability to contribute to the project. *Primary stakeholders may not have a full understanding of the project, its risks, and benefits, whereas secondary stakeholders may not have a vested interest in the project and therefore may not be motivated to contribute to its success. *Primary stakeholders may not have the same level of access to decision-makers as secondary stakeholders, and therefore may not be able to influence the project's outcome. *Secondary stakeholders may be unaware of their potential contributions to the project, and may not be adequately engaged in the project's planning or execution.
In addition to primary and secondary stakeholders, there are other approaches related to stakeholders. These include:
- Strategic Stakeholders: These are stakeholders who can have a major impact on the success or failure of a project. They can include customers, investors, employees, and other influential individuals or organizations.
- Influential Stakeholders: These are stakeholders who may not be directly involved in the project, but can influence its outcome. They may include politicians, regulators, and the media.
- Interested Stakeholders: These are stakeholders who are interested in the project but are not directly involved in it. They may include members of the local community and other stakeholders who may be affected by the project.
- Partner Stakeholders: These are stakeholders who are working with the project team to achieve a common goal. They may include suppliers, vendors, and other partners.
In summary, there are several approaches related to stakeholders, including strategic, influential, interested, and partner stakeholders. It is important to consider these different approaches when developing a project plan and engaging stakeholders in order to ensure the success of the project.
Suggested literature
- Thijssens, T., Bollen, L., & Hassink, H. (2015). Secondary stakeholder influence on Csr disclosure: An application of stakeholder salience theory. Journal of Business Ethics, 132, 873-891.
