ABSTRACT
Stakeholder engagement is a crucial component of an organization’s sustainability strategy. Stakeholders fall into two groups, internal and external stakeholders. Project management professionals are more familiar with engaging with internal stakeholders. External stakeholders, however, can have a significant impact on an organization’s long-term viability and operations . Through the process of stakeholder identification, dialogue, and feedback, management gains insight into the material issues to consider in their sustainability vision. Organizations at the beginning of their sustainability journey focus on stakeholder identification, needs assessment, and requirements gathering. As the data are incorporated into the strategic process, these requirements inform sustainability goals and targets as well as programs and projects designed to support these goals and targets. The stakeholder engagement process is iterative, with feedback being provided to stakeholders on the impact of their recommendations on organizational strategies, policies, and programs. As an organization’s experience and maturity with sustainability grows, stakeholder engagement leads to an ongoing relationship between the organization and its stakeholders. Trust between the organization and its stakeholders develops over time as management demonstrates that stakeholders’ recommendations have been heard, evaluated, and considered seriously for incorporation into their sustainability program.
