communicate / stakeholder engagement
TLDR
For public sector teams who need to work effectively with stakeholders across departments, agencies, partners and communities. Builds practical capability to identify stakeholders, understand influence and priorities and engage in ways that help work move forward.
Public sector work often depends on cooperation across organisations, departments, agencies and delivery partners. Whether developing policy, carrying out research or analysis, running programmes or delivering services, teams regularly need to work with stakeholders whose priorities, pressures and perspectives may differ from their own.
This programme focuses on the practical side of stakeholder management in public sector environments. Participants identify the stakeholders connected to the areas they work in, assess levels of influence and interest and use structured tools to plan how those relationships should be managed.
By the end of the workshop, participants leave with a clear picture of their stakeholder landscape and practical approaches for engaging with the people who influence their work. The focus throughout is on making cooperation easier, building more productive working relationships and helping policy, programmes and services move forward more effectively.
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Define stakeholders in a public sector context and explain why effective engagement matters.
Map stakeholders using recognised models such as the Power/Interest Grid, RACI and the Salience Model.
Assess stakeholder expectations, attitudes and influence on policies, programmes and services.
Develop practical engagement strategies aligned with organisational needs and governance requirements.
Communicate with clarity, credibility and tact when managing conflicting stakeholder priorities.
Apply a structured approach to planning and evaluating stakeholder engagement activity.
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Greater clarity in identifying and prioritising stakeholders.
Stronger capability to analyse influence, interests and expectations.
More structured approaches to planning stakeholder engagement.
Improved confidence navigating complex stakeholder environments.
Practical tools that support more effective cooperation across organisations.
Ultimately, a more joined-up view of the team’s work in the context of its environment.
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Pre-workshop questionnaire
Participants complete a short questionnaire covering current processes, confidence levels and common challenges. This shapes the delivery focus and practical exercises.
Full-day core workshop (in-person or virtual)
For smaller teams or focused topics, the workshop can sometimes be run as a half-day.
Follow-up virtual meetup (2 hours, 1 month later, OPTIONAL)
Review commitments and progress
Share embedded practices and lessons learned
Identify any new support or development needs
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09:30 – 09:45
Welcome, introductions and overview
Exploring participants’ stakeholder environments and objectives for the day.09:45 – 10:30
Understanding stakeholders in government contexts
Identifying stakeholder groups across departments, agencies and partners.
Introduction to the Stakeholder Onion Model.10:30 – 11:15
Analysing stakeholders using practical models
Assessing influence, interest, legitimacy and urgency.
Introduction to the Power/Interest Grid and the Salience Model.11:15 – 11:30
Break
11:30 – 12:45
Prioritising engagement and managing risk
Identifying risks from disengaged or resistant stakeholders.
Using tools such as RACI and Red/Amber/Green approaches to clarify roles and priorities.12:45 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 14:45
Communication strategies and engagement planning
Choosing appropriate engagement approaches and communication channels.
Maintaining clarity and neutrality when managing competing stakeholder priorities.14:45 – 15:00
Break
15:00 – 15:45
Practical application workshop
Participants apply the models to a real stakeholder challenge from their own work environment and begin drafting a stakeholder engagement plan.15:45 – 16:00
Commitments and close
Key takeaways, personal action planning and next steps.
