# 5 Steps to Create a Stakeholder Engagement Plan + Template > Use this stakeholder engagement plan template to identify stakeholders, map influence vs. interest, and build a communication plan. Plus a free PDF download. Source: https://asana.com/resources/stakeholder-engagement-plan-template ## 5 steps to create a stakeholder engagement plan + template #### Summary A stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) is an essential document that helps project teams identify stakeholders, assess their influence and interest levels, and develop tailored communication strategies throughout the project lifecycle. This guide walks you through the five key steps to create an effective engagement plan, from stakeholder identification and mapping to building communication plans and gathering feedback. Learn how to use templates and work management tools to streamline stakeholder relationships and drive project success.Stakeholders often get involved in projects for financial or strategic reasons. Depending on their motivations, their level of interest in and influence on your project will vary. That's why it's important to tailor your communication style to stakeholder needs to prioritize those who have the biggest impact. A stakeholder engagement plan template helps you outline who your stakeholders are, their influence and interest levels, and your communication strategy. Your team can use this template to meet stakeholder needs and prevent communication barriers from disrupting the project [workflow](/resources/workflow-examples). Read on to learn how a stakeholder engagement plan can help you manage your relationships with customers, investors, and executives. ## What is a stakeholder engagement plan? A stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) is a document that identifies your project stakeholders, assesses their level of influence and interest, and outlines how you'll communicate with each one throughout the project lifecycle. Stakeholders can be either individuals within your team or external parties affected by your work. - **Internal stakeholders** may include [project managers](/resources/become-a-project-manager), operations teams, department heads, and board members. - **External stakeholders** may include clients, customers, investors, suppliers, company partners, or [shareholders](/resources/stakeholder-vs-shareholder). Because communication with stakeholders begins right at the start of a project, you'll create your engagement plan during the [project planning](/uses/project-planning) phase. Once you have an idea for a project, identify who your stakeholders are and how involved they need (or want) to be. As the project progresses, you can adjust your SEP to meet their needs. ### How to use a stakeholder engagement plan A stakeholder engagement plan should not prompt your team to listen to some stakeholders while ignoring others. What it should do is guide you through the project planning process and help you communicate with those who most desire it. Different stakeholders have different communication preferences: - **Active stakeholders:** These individuals want buy-in and education through regular, direct communication. - **Passive stakeholders:** These individuals prefer to access materials on their own time without frequent check-ins. As you create your SEP, separate stakeholders into categories to tailor your approach based on their influence and interest levels. One benefit of an SEP is its collaborative nature. When you incorporate your SEP into [work management software](/uses/work-management), your team can update the document as needed and assign ownership to different sections. This will also give you the freedom to share the plan between projects and people. - [무료 이해관계자 참여 계획 템플릿](https://assets.asana.biz/m/3dd7cb37a1071f9a/original/stakeholder-engagement-plan-template.pdf) ## When to use a stakeholder engagement plan A stakeholder engagement plan is best used at the beginning of a project, during the planning phase, and is updated regularly throughout the project lifecycle. However, certain scenarios make this document especially valuable. **Common use cases for stakeholder engagement plans include:** - **High-visibility projects:** When executive attention is on your work, clear stakeholder communication prevents misalignment and keeps leadership informed. - **Cross-functional initiatives:** Projects involving multiple departments or teams benefit from documented engagement strategies to coordinate diverse stakeholder needs. - **Change management efforts:** Organizational changes require careful stakeholder communication to address concerns, build buy-in, and reduce resistance. - **Projects with external partners:** When clients, vendors, or contractors are involved, an engagement plan helps manage expectations and maintain productive relationships. - **Regulatory or compliance-driven work:** Projects with oversight requirements need documented stakeholder engagement to demonstrate due diligence. If your project has multiple stakeholders with varying levels of interest and influence, a stakeholder engagement plan helps you stay organized and proactive in your communication approach. ## What to include in a stakeholder engagement plan Every stakeholder engagement plan should include these key components: - **Stakeholder name:** Identify your stakeholder and organize their details in a [stakeholder register](/templates/stakeholder-register). - **Interest level:** Assign stakeholders labels based on their level of interest or engagement in the project. See the five levels of stakeholder engagement below. - **Influence level:** Assign stakeholders rating labels from very high to very low based on their influence on the project. - **Communication frequency:** Identify how often you'll communicate with this stakeholder. - **Communication channel approach:** Identify what [communication tool](/resources/team-communication-tools) you'll use to communicate with this stakeholder. - **Information type:** Identify the type of information you'll deliver to this stakeholder when communicating. The goal of creating your stakeholder engagement plan is to identify stakeholders' goals or motives and the communication methods you'll use with them. ## 5 steps to create a stakeholder engagement plan To create a stakeholder engagement plan that helps you work with stakeholders in ways they can appreciate, you'll first need to understand their needs and how they influence your project. Use the steps below to get started. ### 1. Identify your stakeholders Some stakeholders will be more engaged in your project from the start. This level of engagement often comes from their motives. For example, an internal executive overseeing the project may be more engaged because their job depends on it. Alternatively, an external partner with a small financial stake might be less engaged and may not want to know every detail of what's going on. #### 5 levels of stakeholder engagement - **Leading:** A leading stakeholder is aware of the project's impact and is actively involved. - **Supporting:** A supporting stakeholder is aware of the project's impact and supports the project. - **Neutral:** A neutral stakeholder is aware of the project's impact but neither supports nor opposes it. - **Resistant:** A resistant stakeholder is aware of the project's impact but resists change. - **Unaware:** An unaware stakeholder is unaware of the project or its impact. Once you know your stakeholders' engagement levels, you'll identify their level of influence on the project. The [Project Management Institute](https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/stakeholder-analysis-pivotal-practice-projects-8905) defines _influence_ as the extent to which a stakeholder has power over a project. When a stakeholder has a strong influence, they can control key project decisions and prompt others to act. #### The scale of stakeholder influence - **Very high:** A stakeholder with very strong influence has a significant amount of control over key project decisions. - **High:** A stakeholder with high influence can cause others to take action. - **Medium:** A stakeholder with medium influence is often part of the decision-making process. - **Low:** A stakeholder with low influence can offer opinions on decisions and express their concerns, but you may not always take their ideas into consideration. - **Very low:** A stakeholder with very low influence can engage in the project when they desire, but they won't have control over any decisions. ### 2. Map stakeholders on the influence/interest grid Now that you know your stakeholder influence and interest level, you'll map each stakeholder on the influence/interest grid. This isn't something you'll want to share with your stakeholders, but it can help you determine your communication style and cadence for each individual. Once you've mapped your stakeholders, you'll see four distinct groups emerge: Stakeholder Group Characteristics Engagement Approach **High interest, high influence** Leading or supporting stakeholders who are key players Check in regularly and thoroughly educate them about the project **High interest, low influence** Leading or supporting stakeholders with less decision-making power Keep in the loop on major updates and encourage participation **Low interest, high influence** Neutral or resistant stakeholders who hold power Provide information proactively to prevent resistance **Low interest, low influence** Unaware stakeholders with minimal involvement Send monthly updates so they can engage when needed When you use a [project management tool](/uses/project-management), you can keep all stakeholder groups informed without added effort. - [필독: 프로젝트 이해관계자 분석이 무엇이고 중요한 이유는?](/resources/project-stakeholder) ### 3. Build a communication plan Stakeholder mapping provides guidance on how to communicate with stakeholders based on their level of influence and interest. Using these grid points, your next step is to create a custom [communication plan](/resources/communication-plan). A communication plan is critical because it informs how you'll educate and update your stakeholders. Regardless of which quadrant they fall into, make sure stakeholders have access to relevant project information. The best way to do this is to keep all your project information in one place, such as a project management tool. Stakeholders who need real-time insight into project status or want a bird's-eye view of the overall [project timeline](/resources/create-project-management-timeline-template) can use this tool to stay informed. There are two steps to creating a communication plan: - **Identify your different communication channels.** Which communication channels does your team regularly use? What is each communication channel for? - **Identify what type of communication each stakeholder quadrant needs.** Communication isn't one-size-fits-all. Figure out how you'll communicate and educate stakeholders during the project lifecycle. For example, stakeholders with a strong interest and influence in the project may want weekly communication. You can provide this by sharing your [project status updates](/resources/how-project-status-reports) through your work management tool. Once you create your communication plan, share it with your project team. If you change your communication plan, make sure you update it and communicate those changes. That way, team members always have access to the most up-to-date information. ### 4. Use feedback to revise plan as needed Stakeholders often change behavior throughout the course of a project, so remember that the points you've mapped on the interest/influence grid aren't set in stone. Not only can you revise your plan based on behavior changes you observe, but you can also share your plan with stakeholders and ask for their feedback. The best way to get feedback from stakeholders is to be clear about what you're asking for. For example, provide stakeholders with your communication plan and ask them, "Does this communication plan work for you? Are there any areas you'd like to change?" **Other tips for getting feedback:** - Ask for written feedback or provide a formal survey with detailed questions about your engagement process - Ask your internal team what they think about the engagement plan - Communicate any changes you make to the engagement plan with stakeholders and team members - Ask for feedback in a video call if it's easier and more convenient for the stakeholder ## Stakeholder engagement plan template Below is a filled-in example of a stakeholder engagement template that includes an area to list your stakeholders, rate their level of interest and influence, and outline their communication plan. Download our free SEP template below to build a well-planned engagement strategy for your next project. ## What are the benefits of a stakeholder engagement plan? A well-crafted stakeholder engagement plan delivers measurable value to your projects: - **Manages expectations**: Ensures stakeholders know the project's trajectory and what to expect through each project phase. - **Reduces** [project risks](/resources/project-risks)**:** Keeps stakeholders from making major changes that could jeopardize the project's success. - **Builds trust:** Creates stronger relationships between team members and stakeholders. - **Improves** [decision-making](/resources/decision-making-process)**:** Makes it easier to anticipate stakeholders' needs and desires to determine the next steps. - **Promotes collaboration:** When teams [communicate effectively](/resources/effective-communication-workplace), they can work together more successfully. ## Streamline stakeholder planning with Asana Stakeholder engagement is crucial to the success of any project. When you tailor your communication to each stakeholder's needs and desires, the results will be invaluable. Asana gives you the versatility to plan your engagement strategy, share it with others, and put it into action alongside your project. [Get started](/create-account) to map out all of your initiatives in one place, from [marketing campaigns](/templates/campaign-management) to projects and client relationships. ## Frequently asked questions about stakeholder engagement plans #### What are the five steps to stakeholder engagement? The five steps are: (1) identify your stakeholders and their engagement levels, (2) map them on an influence/interest grid, (3) build a communication plan, (4) use feedback to revise the plan, and (5) document everything in a template. #### What is the difference between stakeholder management and stakeholder engagement? Stakeholder management is the broader process of identifying and prioritizing stakeholders, while stakeholder engagement focuses specifically on the communication and relationship-building strategies you use to interact with them. #### How often should you update a stakeholder engagement plan? Review your plan at key project milestones, when stakeholder dynamics shift, or when feedback suggests communication needs aren't being met. For long-term projects, revisit monthly; for fast-moving initiatives, check in weekly. #### What are common stakeholder engagement mistakes to avoid? Common mistakes include overlooking low-influence stakeholders who may gain importance later, using inconsistent communication that erodes trust, and failing to adapt the plan as project circumstances evolve. Avoid treating all stakeholders the same way, as different groups require different engagement approaches. - [프로젝트 관리](/resources/project-management) - [비즈니스 리스크를 예방하는 비상 대책을 수립하는 8가지 단계](/ko/resources/contingency-plan) 비즈니스 전략 프로젝트 계획 #### 글쓴이 원래의 계획이 실패하길 바라는 사람은 아무도 없습니다. 하지만 확실한 차선책을 마련해 두면 어떤 상황에도 잘 대처할 수 있습니다. 탄탄한 예비 계획을 세우면 예상치 못한 상황에서도 효과적으로 대응하고 최대한 신속하게 원래 계획으로 돌아올 수 있습니다.비상 대책은 부정적인 결과를 초래할 수 있는 상황에서 용이하게 대처하고 ... - [성공적인 변경 관리 프로세스를 수립하기 위한 6가지 단계](/ko/resources/change-management-process) 비즈니스 전략 영감 및 영향 컬렉션 #### 글쓴이 변경은 조직의 성공에 필수적인 요소입니다. 예를 들어, 조직이 성장함에 따라 새로운 툴을 도입하거나, 새로운 전략을 시도하거나 새로운 시장에 진입해야 하기 마련입니다. 작은 변화나 큰 영향을 미치지 않는 변화는 실행하기 쉽습니다. 하지만 전면적인 조직적 변경 사항을 실행해야 할 때 무엇을 해야 할까요?적절한 계획 없이 ... - [효과적인 할 일 목록을 작성하기 위한 15가지 팁](/ko/resources/make-better-to-do-lists) 프로젝트 관리 #### 글쓴이 Everyone loves checking things off a to-do list, but when done wrong, lists can cause more harm than good. Disorganized lists lead to missed deadlines and unnecessary stress.The g ... - [효과적인 프로젝트 킥오프 미팅을 진행하기 위한 10단계](/ko/resources/project-kickoff-meeting) 프로젝트 계획 #### 글쓴이 프로젝트를 성공적으로 시작하려면 많은 노력을 쏟아부어야 합니다. 하지만 프로젝트가 시작되기도 전에 계획에서 벗어난 것처럼 느껴질 때가 많습니다. 프로젝트에 참여하는 팀원과 이해관계자가 저마다 다른 지식을 가지고 있으며, 기대치와 우선순위가 다양하기 때문입니다. 프로젝트를 시작하기 전에 모든 구성원과 보조를 맞출 기회를 ... - [5 steps to creating a stakeholder engagement plan](/ko/resources/stakeholder-engagement-plan-template) 프로젝트 관리 프로젝트 관리 하이브리드 근무 및 원격 근무 프로젝트 계획 - [콘텐츠 작가](/author/team-asana) Stakeholders often get involved in projects for financial or strategic reasons. Depending on their motivations, their level of interest in and influence on your project will vary. ...