In every project, there will be multiple stakeholders. But some of those stakeholders turn up again and again – not the same people, but the same roles and interests. Here are my top 25 types of project stakeholders, starting with the most common.
Stakeholder Identification is a critical activity
This list is a collaboration with ChatGPT, but started life as Appendix 2 of my book, The Influence Agenda: A Systematic Approach to Aligning Stakeholders in Times of Change.
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Top 25 Project Stakeholders
1. Project Sponsor
The project sponsor is the senior leader who provides funding, approves major decisions, and champions the project within the organization. They are critical because they set the vision and remove roadblocks for the project team.
2. Project Manager
You, as the project manager, are a stakeholder! Your role is to plan, execute, and control the project while balancing competing demands. Understanding your own influence is key to project success.
3. Project Team Members
These are the specialists, developers, designers, or engineers who actually do the work. Keeping them engaged and motivated is crucial, as they directly affect quality and deadlines.
4. Customers/End Users
Whether internal or external, these are the people who will use the final product or service. Their needs should drive project requirements to ensure the outcome is valuable and well-received.
5. Functional Managers (Department Heads)
Leaders of departments such as IT, HR, Finance, or Operations, who allocate resources to the project. They control staff availability and must be engaged to secure the right talent and support.
6. Executives and Senior Leadership
Beyond the sponsor, C-suite leaders (CEO, CFO, CIO, etc.) influence funding and strategic alignment. They can make or break a project depending on how well it aligns with company goals.
7. Regulatory and Compliance Bodies
Organizations or government agencies that set the legal, safety, or industry-specific standards your project must comply with. Failing to consider them can cause major setbacks.
8. Finance and Budgeting Teams
These stakeholders ensure that the project stays within financial constraints and provide funding oversight. Their approval is critical for cost control and risk mitigation.
9. Vendors and Suppliers
If your project depends on external companies for materials, software, or services, their performance impacts your timeline and budget. Managing supplier relationships is key to smooth delivery.
10. IT and Technical Support Teams
Almost all projects have some technology component. IT teams ensure integrations, security, and infrastructure needs are met, making them crucial for digital transformation projects.
11. Legal Team
Ensures that contracts, intellectual property rights, compliance, and risk exposure are managed properly. Overlooking legal aspects can lead to serious liabilities.
12. Change Management Team
When projects introduce new ways of working, these teams help manage communication, training, and user adoption. Resistance to change is a major failure point for many initiatives.
13. Risk Management and Quality Assurance Teams
Identify risks, test solutions, and ensure quality control before launch. They help prevent costly mistakes and ensure the project meets high standards.
14. End-Customer Representatives (Focus Groups, User Committees)
In consumer-facing projects, these representatives provide direct user feedback early in development, helping refine the product before launch.
15. Investors and Shareholders
In publicly traded or venture-backed companies, investors expect returns and influence project priorities based on profitability and market positioning.
16. Operations and Maintenance Teams
After the project is delivered, these teams keep the solution running. If they aren’t involved early, handover challenges may arise, leading to operational inefficiencies.
17. Marketing and Sales Teams
If the project involves launching a product or service, these teams must be aligned to drive demand, position the offering, and ensure successful go-to-market execution.
18. Media, Public Relations, and External Communications
For high-profile projects, PR teams manage messaging to external stakeholders, ensuring a positive public image and crisis management if needed.
19. Community and Environmental Groups
In large-scale or infrastructure projects, local communities, advocacy groups, and environmental organizations can influence project approval and reputation.
20. Competitors and Industry Peers
Though external, competitors shape the expectations for your project’s success. Understanding industry trends helps you position your project for success.
21. Regulators and Compliance Bodies
Regulatory agencies, industry watchdogs, and compliance officers ensure that projects adhere to laws, safety regulations, and industry standards. Ignoring their requirements can lead to costly fines, project delays, or even shutdowns. Engaging them early prevents compliance-related roadblocks.
22. Human Resources (HR) and Workforce Planning Teams
HR is critical for projects involving hiring, training, organizational change, or employee well-being. They help with staffing, policy alignment, and ensuring that workforce transitions are handled smoothly.
23. Procurement and Contract Management Teams
If a project involves purchasing equipment, software, or services, procurement teams ensure fair vendor selection, cost control, and contract compliance. Poor procurement management can lead to vendor disputes and unexpected costs.
24. Customer Support and Service Teams
If the project delivers a product or service that customers will use, the support team plays a vital role in addressing post-launch issues, feedback, and user experience challenges. Failing to involve them can lead to customer dissatisfaction.
25. Training and Learning & Development (L&D) Teams
For projects that involve new systems, processes, or tools, training teams ensure that end-users and employees can effectively adopt and use the changes. Without proper training, even well-designed projects can fail due to poor adoption and user resistance.
Recommended Videos and Articles to Help with Stakeholder Engagement
We have so much content (around 30 articles and videos) about the many aspects of stakeholder engagement. So, rather than listing it all here, here is a directory of all our project stakeholder engagement content.
What Kit does a Project Manager Need?
I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own.
Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs
Note that the links are affiliated.
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