Stakeholders

With software development, working in teams is typically normal. Being able to work in a team is important. But what is also equally important is interacting with stakeholders. A team does not make a project just because, typically someone comes up to the team and gives an idea and the team gets to work. That is an extremely watered down version of how it happens, but that is how it works. This can be somewhat confusing so let’s break it down. 

In this blog post, they talk about what a stakeholder is, why they are important and then some examples of a stakeholder. The post defines a stakeholder as a group of people or groups affected by a software development project. They are in the best position to offer specific input on needs at their level. Essentially, they are people who know what they want for this project and those whose interests are important for the project. It is important to get their input on the project because they guide the project in a way. They are able to create a list of things that are needed for the project and a way for the developers to figure out what they are working on exactly. You do not want to ignore the advice of stakeholders and neglect them, as that means the developers are just making the wrong thing. But who is considered a stakeholder? End-users are good to consider, as they are the ones to be using it once it is complete. Knowing their input and how it affects them is important. People like managers, project managers, developers, and partners are all important, as they ensure that certain aspects of the project are doable. Certain authorities are also important to consider, such as shareholders or company owners. It is hard to get everyone in for a meeting on the project all at once, so getting representatives is a better alternative. Determining whether or not their input is needed is also important, as to not waste someone’s time. But again, how do you determine that? There are some questions you can ask, such as “who will be affected by this product,” “how will workflows change,” and “are there any people whose support is vital to the project.” 

Understanding who has valuable input and is able to shape the project will be key to you as a developer, as it lays the foundation and blueprint for what you and your team will be doing. It may be difficult to get everything everyone wants, and you may have to cut some things. But knowing when to do so is up to you and the team.