Module 2 · Lesson 12 of 16

Stakeholder analysis and communication plan

Learning objectives

Map stakeholder influence and impact.
Plan engagement in proportion to influence.
Monitor resistance and support through the project.

Beyond a communication list

Identify expectations, influence, impact, current support, desired support, the message, the sender, the channel, the frequency and the feedback loop.

Garment-factory example

Operators, supervisors, quality, IE, maintenance, planning, HR, supplier and buyer technical teams need different evidence, different messages and different levels of involvement.

Method

List stakeholders.
Assess influence and impact.
Interview key groups.
Update the plan throughout DMAIC.

Common mistakes

Communicating only after decisions.
Labelling disagreement as resistance without listening.

Knowledge check

Pick one answer per question. Explanations appear after you submit.

1. High-impact stakeholders need:
- Information only
- Participation, not just information
- No involvement
- A one-off email
2. Disagreement is best treated as:
- Resistance to be silenced
- Information to be understood before responding
- A personal attack
- Irrelevant

Author: Sanjeewa Dehiwalage · Last reviewed: 2026-07-21