From Names to Influence: Understanding the Stakeholder Register
When we talk about project success, one theme rises again and again—stakeholders. Projects don’t exist in isolation; they move forward because of the people who influence them, support them, and are affected by them. Some projects soar when stakeholders are aligned. Others stall when key voices are missed or communication falls short.
That’s why it starts with the Stakeholder Register.
More Than a List of Names
The Stakeholder Register is often misunderstood. It’s not just a spreadsheet of names—it’s a living guide to relationships, expectations, and influence. A strong register captures:
Who your stakeholders are (individuals, groups, and organizations)
Their roles, level of influence, and engagement
Communication needs and preferences
Strategies to build and maintain alignment
Think of it as the project’s compass. Without it, we risk drifting or overlooking critical connections. With it, every other artifact—stakeholder maps, engagement models, and communication plans—has a clear foundation.
A Seasonal Analogy
Because it’s Fall, this feels especially timely. Fall marks new beginnings: a school year, a new job, a job search, or simply the shift into a new season. Each beginning invites us to pause and ask:
Who are the stakeholders in this chapter?
How can I intentionally plan for those relationships?
In life, just as in projects, identifying stakeholders early shapes how smoothly we navigate transitions. Whether you’re a student meeting new professors and classmates, a professional stepping into a role, or someone facing personal change, the principle holds true: clarity around people and communication matters.
The Power of Simplicity
Project artifacts don’t need to be complex to be valuable. The best stakeholder registers are clear, simple, and easy to update. A clean PMI-aligned template offers structure for questions like:
What matters most to this person or group?
How much influence do they have over outcomes?
What’s the best way to connect with them?
Once documented, patterns emerge. You’ll see where to focus, how to balance interests, and where to build stronger bridges.
Final Reflection
How often do you revisit your Stakeholder Register once it’s created? For many, it becomes a file that gathers dust. In practice, it should be dynamic, evolving as relationships shift and projects grow.
In project management—and in life—our stakeholders change, and so must our approach.
For me, the Stakeholder Register is also a reminder that projects are human at their core. Behind every name is a person with hopes, pressures, and perspectives. The more we honor that, the stronger our outcomes—and our connections—become.
PML would like to extend a huge thank you to Deanna for sharing her knowledge and wisdom with the PML community! Learn more about her below and reach out to connect!
About the Author
Deanna Davies, MBA, PMP
Deanna Davies is a community leader, business professional, and educator with over 27 years of experience in business, project management, leadership, economic development, and community development. She holds an MBA in Community Economic Development and is passionate about integrating social economy principles into project leadership, with a focus on how projects can drive meaningful social impact.
Throughout her career, Deanna has combined her expertise in business and project management with her natural ability to bring people together. Her journey into project management emerged organically through decades of work leading initiatives, building partnerships, and fostering collaboration across sectors. This realization deepened her commitment to preparing the next generation of project leaders and strengthening the role of socially responsible management in business and community contexts.
Deanna has taught and coordinated academic programs in project management, guiding students through both the technical and human sides of projects. She is particularly passionate about developing leadership capacity through Emotional Intelligence (EQ), stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and embodied leadership practices. Her teaching and facilitation style blends professionalism with warmth, empowering learners and professionals alike to cultivate resilience, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership.
As the founder of Elevate3, Deanna brings her diverse expertise to workshops, facilitation, and speaking engagements designed to elevate leadership, collaboration, and well-being. Her offerings bridge professional development and wellness, incorporating innovative approaches such as somatic practices, yoga, and mindfulness to help leaders regulate their nervous systems, enhance focus, and strengthen authentic connections.
Deanna has received recognition for her contributions to the project management community, including the Honorable Member Award and the Collaboration and Teamwork Award from PMEvolve. Most recently, she was honored with the Star of the North Award at the PMI Region 2/3 Leadership Conference, recognizing her dedication to advancing project leadership and her impact on the professional community. She is also a sought-after speaker, delivering talks such as “Roots of Change: The Social Economy’s Influence on Project Leadership” and “Embodied Leadership: Practical Tools for Grounded and Resilient Project Management” at professional conferences and industry events.
With a deep commitment to lifelong learning, Deanna continues to expand her knowledge at the intersection of leadership, well-being, and social impact. Whether guiding students, facilitating workshops for small businesses, or leading restorative yoga practices, she remains dedicated to one mission: empowering people and projects to thrive while contributing positively to their communities.
Connect with Deanna on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/
Learn more at https://www.elevate3.ca/
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