Who is Responsible for Stakeholder Expectations Management in a High-Profile, High-Risk Project?

D.

In a high-profile, high-risk project, managing stakeholder expectations is critical for the success of the project. Stakeholders are individuals or organizations that are directly or indirectly affected by the project. They have different interests, needs, and expectations from the project, which can be conflicting and challenging to manage.

The responsibility of managing stakeholder expectations in a high-profile, high-risk project ultimately falls on the project manager. The project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing a project. They are accountable for achieving the project objectives, meeting the project requirements, and delivering the project within the agreed-upon constraints of time, scope, budget, and quality.

The project manager needs to establish and maintain a positive relationship with the stakeholders by engaging them in the project planning, monitoring, and control activities. They should identify the stakeholders, understand their expectations, communicate with them effectively, and manage their concerns and issues promptly.

The project manager should also establish a stakeholder management plan that outlines the strategies, tactics, and tools for managing stakeholder expectations throughout the project lifecycle. The plan should address the stakeholder identification, analysis, prioritization, and engagement, as well as the communication and reporting channels and the conflict resolution and escalation procedures.

While the project management office, project sponsor, and project risk assessment officer can support the project manager in managing stakeholder expectations, the ultimate responsibility for this critical task lies with the project manager. The project manager needs to lead the project team and stakeholders towards achieving the project goals and delivering value to the stakeholders.