Stakeholder Management for DesignersOr Im a Designer, Get me out of here!

(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. http://www.dennisadams.net

IntroductionThe role of the IT designer involvesDesigning IT Technical solutions.Dealing with the different Stakeholders who have a vested interest in the solution.So the designer has to be..Able to Design.Able to deal with the Stakeholders.This presentation is a personal perspective on how to manage Stakeholders.Contains Material of Adult nature - dont circulate

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Its a Jungle out there

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TechiesCan appear a bit dull and uninteresting at timesAt home in the mud (and other dirty stuff !)Like BugsSome are nocturnal.Speak in strange languagesCommunicate with their own kind.Most other animals dont understand them.

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Dealing with TechiesGive them technical problems (bugs) to solve.Simple objectives.Dont give them too many options !

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Project ManagersLots of weight to throw aroundCan hear what is going on.Good at clearing obstaclesFocusedRemembers thingsEasily trained to do simple tasks

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Dealing with Project ManagersGive them clear deliver this by then dates.The IS01 is your friend.Keep assuring them that all is OK.If it isnt -- they like to be told. Get them to arrange things.Meetings, Actions, Questions to be addressed.If the scope changes, or issues arise, get them to manage it.instead of handling it yourselfThey are better at clearing obstacles.

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BusinessThink they are King of the JungleLike to soak up the sunSees other animals either as food, or irrelevantOnly concerned with the important things in lifeFood, Procreation

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Managing Business StakeholdersOnly talk to them about the important things in life.If things have to change, it will cost effortEffort is time and Time is MoneyMoney is FoodThey understand Food.They like to manage change, not be managed by it.Dont confuse them with complex things like technology !

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Marketing SponsorshipCan appear slimy from a distanceForked TongueNot sure where they are coming fromSeveral typesCrush with sheer forcePoison bite Wary of some other types of animals.

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Dealing with the Sales/Marketing typesBe careful - the dangerous ones bite !If they understand what is in it for them, they will be easier to handle.Use the word benefit all the time.Project Managers are better at dealing with them.

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The Designers eco-System

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The Designer AnimalBlends in with the environmentEyes looking in all directionsFeels a bit like a snakeLooks a bit like a frogMakes elephants feel a bit uncomfortable

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Conclusions: Understand the other animals in the JungleWhere are they coming fromWhat do they expectWhat things make sense to them (and what dont )Deal with them in their own terms.Forgive them their weaknesses.Use their strengths to help you.

Remember: its a jungle out there

(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. http://www.dennisadams.net

Stakeholder Management for DesignersOr Im a Designer, Get me out of here!

(c) Dennis Adams Associates Limited. http://www.dennisadams.net

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