Managing Stakeholder Expectations In Software Development

Project success doesn't always mean stakeholder satisfaction You delivered on time. You stayed on budget. You met the project's scope. So the project was a success, right? Then feedback comes in. "I should've been looped in sooner." "This isn't what I expected." "My team wasn't considered with this implementation." Delivery is only half the job. Stakeholder/customer experience is the other. Here's how you successfully drive both: ✅ Align on what success FEELS like, not just what it is Go beyond metrics. Ask stakeholders "what would a great outcomes look like to you?" Then listen and work to mirror your implementation & delivery to their expectations. ✅ Communicate early and way more often than you think Stakeholders start to get nervous when they don't hear from you. And with other priorities + day-to-day duties, they aren't going to seek you out. Make sure they're aware of every step being taken. ✅ Measure engagement, not just execution Did your stakeholders feel heard? Did you give them space to weigh in? People support what they help build. A successful project no one feels good about isn't a success at all. Balance delivery with stakeholder trust and satisfaction. It'll lead to better outcomes and a solid reputation. 🤙

10 Steps For Stakeholder Communication As the Project Manager for an app development project, effective stakeholder communication was crucial. The stakeholders were diverse - from our internal tech team and sales department to external parties such as investors and the end-users. Our first step was to identify all the stakeholders and understand their expectations. For example, our tech team was focused on robust functionality, sales were interested in market competitiveness, and our investors were looking at return on investment. Using these insights, we developed a communication plan. For instance, our tech team preferred detailed email updates, while our investors appreciated concise presentations during monthly meetings. We customized our language and delivery to cater to each party. A significant roadblock occurred midway through the project, a technical glitch that delayed our timeline. Being transparent, we communicated this to all stakeholders promptly, explaining the situation, its implications, and our recovery plan. Although it led to some difficult discussions, especially with our investors, we handled them with professionalism and tact, reinforcing their trust in our capabilities. Throughout the project, we asked for feedback - such as the tech team's advice on resolving the glitch or the investors' views on our recovery strategy. This fostered a sense of collaboration and kept everyone engaged. When we finally resolved the glitch and got back on track, we celebrated this success and shared it with all stakeholders, bolstering morale and reinforcing their faith in the project. This approach transformed stakeholder communication from a challenge into an opportunity, contributing to our project's eventual success. ❗How Can I Help You? I'm Justin, a PhD and PMP holder with 21 years of project management experience, mentoring Fortune 500 teams. I've trained 4,000+ professionals, and now I focus on helping project managers in swiftly advancing their skills to enhance their career trajectories, surpass competitors, and evolve their project skills into becoming highly desirable leaders. 👇 Join my upcoming cohort for using ChatGPT for Project Management! lnkd.in/dmA-dNjS #business #management #projectmanagement #innovation #operationsmanagement

How I Manage Stakeholder Expectations Without Overpromising as a Program Manager at Amazon Expectation management isn’t about promising less—it’s about aligning more. Early in my career, I thought managing expectations meant setting low bars to ensure easy wins. Then I learned that real expectation management is about aligning on what success looks like—not just lowering the bar. Here’s how I manage stakeholder expectations effectively: 1️⃣ Set the ‘Why’ Before the ‘What’ I start by aligning on why a project matters—its business impact or customer benefit—before discussing what we’ll deliver. This practice ensures that everyone understands the end goal, not just the output. 2️⃣ Define Success Metrics Upfront I outline specific, measurable outcomes from day one. This clarity prevents misalignment and keeps stakeholders focused on results rather than tasks. 3️⃣ Communicate Early, Not Just Often I share updates early, especially when risks emerge. This practice has not only built trust but also prevented surprises. During a recent project, early communication helped secure additional resources to manage a sudden increase in scope. Expectation management isn’t about managing down—it’s about managing forward. If you’re struggling with stakeholder alignment, try focusing less on promising and more on aligning. How do you manage stakeholder expectations? #ExpectationManagement #Leadership #StakeholderManagement #Amazon