Stakeholders in development projects
The term 'stakeholder' refers to anyone that has an interest in a project and can influence its success.
It is important to identify stakeholders in a project as early as possible. They may include the following;
- Members of the client organisation (such as user panels, champions and department heads).
- Other user groups (such as customers, residents, occupants, and visitors).
- Neighbours and community groups.
- Funders and shareholders.
- The local authority building regulations, licensing and planning departments.
- Other statutory authorities and non-statutory consultees.
- Special interest groups such as heritage organisations and environmental bodies.
- Suppliers.
- The emergency services.
- Statutory undertakers (utilities companies).
- Insurance and warranty providers.
- investors
Stakeholders may not all have the same objectives. It is important therefore to identify areas of convergence and areas of difference between them and to manage individuals whose expectations are unlikely to be met.
A first step in considering how to interact with stakeholders can be the preparation of a stakeholder map or stakeholder matrix (see examples on the archived OGC website and Buro Happold: A Rough Guide to Stakeholder Mapping)
A stakeholder map might assess:
- The likely impact of the development on the stakeholder.
- The issues that they will have an interest in.
- Their likely position.
- Their ability to influence the development.
- Their potential impact on the project.
- Potential mitigating actions.
A stakeholder map allows a plan to be developed for how to manage the involvement of different stakeholder groups. Clearly, a stakeholder that the project will significantly impact upon, who has a strong ability to influence the development and is likely to be against it, will require a great deal of attention. This may result in the preparation of a stakeholder management plan outlining strategies for stakeholder communication and consultation.
Where the intention is to involve stakeholders in the development of the project, they should be involved early on to allow them to influence key stages such as brief development, rather than just allowing them to comment on designs after they have been completed (see the article consultation process for more information).
Stakeholders can provide useful feedback (and an indication of the likely response to a subsequent planning application), however, as they may not be experienced in building projects, and their actions may be beyond the control of the client, their involvement requires careful organisation, and a clearly understood mandate. Large or complex projects may benefit from a professional third-party facilitator to ensure that stakeholder involvement is properly managed.
A variety of communicating methods can be used to help stakeholders properly understand the project (such as 3D visualisations), and a variety of consultation methods can be adopted:
- One to one consultations.
- Meetings.
- Focus groups.
- Questionnaires.
- Exhibitions and open-days.
- Workshops.
- Websites.
- Printed materials.
- The use of specialist toolkits and games.
Stakeholder management should be an ongoing process not a one-off event, and the stakeholder map and management plan may need to be updated throughout the life of the project.
See also: Project delivery stakeholders.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BREEAM project delivery stakeholders.
- Champions.
- Community engagement in conservation.
- Consultation process.
- Early BREEAM stakeholder engagement.
- Interested party.
- Interface risk in construction.
- Non-statutory consultees.
- Primary stakeholder.
- Project delivery stakeholders.
- Secondary stakeholder.
- Stakeholder map.
- Stakeholder management.
- Stakeholder management: a quality perspective.
- Statutory authorities.
- Statutory undertakers.
- Third party dependencies.
- User panels.
Featured articles and news
Registered building inspectors
Building types and conflicts of interest updates explaineed.
Engineering services still struggle with labour shortages
According to latest quarterly services survey of the sector.
Infrastructure that connect the physical and digital domains.
Harnessing robotics and AI in challenging environments
The key to nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering.
BSRIA announces Lisa Ashworth as new CEO
Tasked with furthering BSRIA’s impressive growth ambitions.
Public buildings get half a million energy efficiency boost
£557 million to switch to cleaner heating and save on energy.
CIOB launches pre-election manifesto
Outlining potential future policies for the next government.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry announcement
Phase 2 hearings come to a close and the final report due in September.
Progress from Parts L, F and O: A whitepaper, one year on.
A replicated study to understand the opinion of practitioners.
ECA announces new president 2024
Electrical engineer and business leader Stuart Smith.
A distinct type of countryside that should be celebrated.
Should Part O be extended to existing buildings?
EAC brands heatwave adaptation a missed opportunity.
Definition of Statutory in workplace and facilities management
Established by IWFM, BESA, CIBSE and BSRIA.
Tackling the transition from traditional heating systems
59% lack the necessary information and confidence to switch.
The general election and the construction industry
As PM, Rishi Sunak announces July 4 date for an election.
Eco apprenticeships continue help grow green workforce
A year after being recognised at the King's coronation.
Comments
1) Statutory Stakeholders:
Local Authority/Historic England/HSE/Environmental Agency/GLA etc
Local authority contacted through the planning process. (eg during a request for pre-application advice meeting a request can be made for heritage and transport officer) Others contacted as required
2) Secondary Stakeholders: 20C society/Local Neighbourhood Action Groups/ Historic societies/ Local parishes etc
Key relevant groups requested and contacted by the local authority as seen relevant for input during the determination period. Meetings can be arranged individually to discuss any concerns and during the design development.
3) Others-General Public
General public includes local residents and businesses. Contacted via letter (issued by planning consultant) to notify of public consultation. Notified by local authority once the planning submission has been validated, to invite for comments during the determination period.