How to manage stakeholders in international projects ?

Is an international project like any other? It's often a more complex operation, because an international project by definition involves several countries, and needs to take into account numerous linguistic, cultural, legal and even methodological differences. Stakeholder management, usually handled by an international project manager, frequently raises new challenges. Let's take a look at how you can learn to manage them.

The importance of stakeholder management in global projects

Effective stakeholder management is crucial to the success of international projects. Stakeholders, whether internal (management, employees) or external (customers, suppliers, local authorities), directly or indirectly influence the progress and outcome of a project. Proactive management of these players helps to clarify expectations, align objectives and ensure harmonious collaboration, thereby reducing the risk of misunderstandings and conflicts.

In a global context, this management takes on added importance due to cultural diversity, regulatory differences and logistical complexities. Involving stakeholders in the right way from the initial stages of a project makes it easier to obtain essential support, access local resources and adapt to market specificities, thus increasing the chances of success.

International projects also present specific challenges:

Challenge 1: Cultural diversity

Differences in language, values and professional practices can lead to misunderstandings and tensions. Understanding and adapting to local cultures is essential for effective communication.

Challenge 2: Regulatory complexity

Navigating through varied and sometimes contradictory legal frameworks requires heightened vigilance to ensure compliance and avoid potential sanctions.

Challenge 3: Coordinating dispersed teams

Managing teams located in different time zones and geographical contexts poses challenges in terms of synchronization, communication and team cohesion.

Challenge 4: Geopolitical and economic risks

International projects are exposed to political instabilities, currency fluctuations and economic variations that can impact on their viability and profitability.

Challenge 5: Logistics and resource management

Ensuring the efficient availability and distribution of material and human resources across diverse regions requires rigorous planning and operational flexibility.

To prepare for these challenges, EDC Paris Business School's Master in Business Project Management offers a comprehensive course focusing on project management in an international environment. This program enables students to acquire the skills needed to navigate the complexities of global projects.

Good communication is key in an international context

In an international project, project communication plays a central role in ensuring coordination between teams that are often scattered across several countries. Poor communication can lead to delays, misunderstandings and even conflicts, compromising the achievement of objectives. Conversely, a clear, structured flow of information promotes collaboration, efficiency and project success.

An essential element of this communication is intercultural negotiation. Working with stakeholders from different cultures means understanding and respecting their differences. Professional practices, leadership expectations and decision-making styles may vary from one region to another. A one-size-fits-all approach is likely to create bottlenecks.

To avoid this, it's crucial to adopt an active listening posture and adapt to the cultural context of each stakeholder. For example, in some cultures, interpersonal relationships are paramount and must be established before getting down to the nitty-gritty of the project. In others, the emphasis is on speed and efficiency.

What's more, using appropriate tools and collaborative platforms can greatly enhance project communication in an international environment. These technologies help to reduce geographical barriers and maintain transparency in information sharing.

The most commonly used stakeholder management techniques

Stakeholder management is based on proven techniques for maintaining harmonious relationships and securing the support of key players at every stage of the project.

Technique 1: Draw up a stakeholder map

This is the first essential step. This technique involves identifying all the stakeholders in a project and analyzing their influence, expectations and degree of involvement. By categorizing stakeholders according to their level of interest and power, project managers can prioritize their efforts to meet the most critical needs. This mapping provides a clear view of the dynamics surrounding the project, and helps anticipate potential resistance.

Technique 2: Analyze needs and expectations

Effective stakeholder management involves understanding stakeholders' motivations, concerns and objectives. Interviews, questionnaires or workshops can be organized to gather this information. This step strengthens the relationship of trust and avoids misunderstandings that may arise during the course of the project.

Technique 3: Draw up a targeted communication plan

A structured communication plan tailored to stakeholders is essential to ensure a smooth flow of information. This plan should include the channels, formats and frequency of exchanges. For example, key decision-makers often prefer summary reports, while operational teams may require more detailed information. Well thought-out communication supports collaboration and stakeholder commitment throughout the project.

Technique 4: Anticipate potential conflicts

Disagreements are inevitable in an international project. A proactive approach is to establish resolution mechanisms from the outset, such as committees or mediation processes. These tools enable tensions to be managed quickly, promoting an equitable solution that respects the interests of all parties.

Technique 5: Use technological monitoring tools

In a globalized environment, digital tools play a key role in stakeholder management. Collaborative platforms can be used to centralize data, track project progress and ensure transparency. They also facilitate stakeholder engagement thanks to features such as interactive dashboards and automatic notifications.

Learning to manage international project stakeholders is essential to the success of these often complex programs. Good communication, an understanding of cultural differences and the use of proven stakeholder management techniques help to build solid relationships and align everyone's objectives so as to accompany each project perfectly from start to finish.