Q&A: How can I incorporate stakeholder-centered success measures into my project?
How can I incorporate stakeholder-centered success measures into my project?
For mission-driven organizations, we want to ensure our projects create real value for our communities, clients, or members. Shifting from just tracking our outputs to measuring stakeholder-defined success is key. Here’s how you can incorporate stakeholder-centered success measures into your projects:
1. Start Before the Project Really Begins
The best time to define what success looks like is before you've fully committed resources and kicked off project work. Integrate this into your project feasibility or decision-making stage.
Don't just guess what your stakeholders need. Talk to them! Whether it's staff, community partners, or users, ask them directly:
What problem does this project need to solve for you?
What needs to be included in (whatever this project will create) for it to be useful/helpful for you?
How would you know if this project has truly made a difference?
2. Build Feedback into the Project Lifecycle
Traditional approaches to project management often save feedback for the very end, after all of your deliverables are complete. Instead, plan for regular check-ins and feedback points throughout the project. You can plan to share prototypes, drafts, or partial deliverables for feedback early and often. Consider adopting lifecycles inspired by agile methods, such as Design Thinking.
3. Focus on Qualitative Measures
While quantitative measures have their place, stakeholder-centered success is often found in qualitative measures. Some examples of stakeholder-focused qualitative measures include:
Ease of use: Can key stakeholder groups easily use the deliverable or complete critical tasks? (Measured via usability testing, feedback forms, or user interviews).
Sense of belonging/engagement: Do intended community members feel welcome, safe, and actively engaged in the program? (Measured via focus groups, observation, or short surveys).
User confidence: Can participants demonstrate the new skill or apply the knowledge shortly after the program or training? (Measured via observation, follow-up surveys, or skill demonstration).
Incorporating stakeholder-centered success measures into your projects requires upfront engagement and continuous opportunities for feedback. Building projects with your stakeholders, rather than just for them, leads to more meaningful impacts.
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