What is Stakeholder Alignment?

The alignment process involves developing a common understanding among the key stakeholders as to the purpose and goals of the project and the means and methods of accomplishing those goals.

 Much of this is achieved during the initial meeting or Kickoff Meeting. 

What is a Project Kick-Off Meeting?

The project manager will conduct one or more kickoff meetings to develop plans for the following activities:

• Developing a common understanding of the project purpose
• Agreeing on the means and methods for accomplishing the purpose
• Establishing trust among team members

What is a Common Understanding Among Stakeholders?

A common understanding means an understanding of what is being addressed. It does not mean that there is consensus among the stakeholders. 

The stakeholders will provide input and continue to work toward consensus on the direction of the project. 

Developing a common understanding among the key project stakeholders requires the following:

• Defining project success

• Determining potential barriers to success

• Establishing key milestones

• Identifying decision makers and the decision-making process

It is difficult to execute a successful project without first defining what makes a successful project (completed on time, within budget, and to all specifications). 

A more extensive definition of success concerns reflection on the organization’s mission, goals, and related issues such as safety and public perception..

What is the Project Purpose?

A purpose statement—also called a charter, vision, or mission— provides guidance on what is the organization about and what is to be achieved by undertaking the project.  The project will have many objectives. The purpose statement answers the question, “what will be accomplished by achieving all of the objectives?”

Project purpose statements are often developed as part of the team development process that occurs during the project initiation phase and results in a common understanding of the purpose of the project. 

A purpose statement derived from a common understanding among key stakeholders.

Goals are developed to achieve the project purpose.Project goals established during the alignment process are broad in nature and cross the entire project. 

Role clarity means establishing understanding of the roles of each of the key stakeholders and project leaders. 

Role clarification facilitates the development of the following:

• Communication planning

• Work flow organization

• Approval processes

• Role boundary spanning processes

What are Project Means and Methods?

The means and methods concerns how the work of the project will be accomplished. It also provides an understanding of the project management methods that will be used on the project and the output that stakeholders can expect is developed. 

How to Establish Trust in a Project? 

In a project, Trust is the filter that project team members use for evaluating information. It will affect the amount of information that is shared and the quality of that information.