Back to Basics: Considerations for a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Plan

A Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) is an essential document in project planning. It directs your project team on identifying key stakeholders, recognizing areas of risk and opportunity, implementing mitigations, adhering to regulatory and legal requirements, using communication tools, and scheduling engagements. Here are the critical considerations when developing your own comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan:

1. Connection to the Social Risk Assessment (SRA) mitigations: Developing a SEP without conducting an SRA is like navigating without a compass. A detailed and purpose-driven SEP must be developed with a thorough understanding of stakeholder risks and opportunities. Essentially, the SEP serves as the "how-to" guide to minimize risks and enhance opportunities with your stakeholders.

2. SEP Objectives: Drawing from the IAP2’s Spectrum of Public Participation, the overall objective of the SEP must be clear—whether to inform, consult, involve, collaborate, or empower. Each objective involves different levels of stakeholder participation and varying degrees of effort from project proponents.

3. Understanding applicable laws and regulations: Typically identified in the SRA, it’s crucial that all engagements comply with relevant jurisdictional regulations, laws, and standards. This could include legislative requirements for consultation, alignment with guidelines for project financing such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) performance standards, or organizational directives aligned with global initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

4. Clear understanding of stakeholders and rights-holders: A thorough understanding of both stakeholders and rights-holders is essential, considering two variables: those interested in the project and those impacted by it. By categorizing these groups based on their nature and associated risks, a justified engagement approach can be developed that is catered to each.

5. Tools and methods: Tools and engagement methods should be considered after defining the intended outcomes of the SEP. It’s tempting to jump into tactics, but a well-informed SEP first outlines the objectives and then determines how to achieve them. Tools can include communication mediums, key messages, monitoring mechanisms, grievance procedures, roles and responsibilities, and continuous monitoring.

6. Iterative process: The SEP should be dynamic to accommodate changes in circumstances or project phases. Stakeholders and rights-holders may change, and so may their risk and opportunity ratings. Implementing a regular self-audit—quarterly, biannually, or annually—ensures the SEP remains relevant and effective.

7. Organizational and cultural alignment: The SEP should align with your company culture, protocols, ethics, and procedures. Also, consideration should be given to the time and resources required to deliver and whether your organization has the appetite to take on a 'full-tilt' SEP. There is nothing that stops a SEP faster in its tracks than company misalignment.

By incorporating these elements, a SEP can help to navigate stakeholder risks and leverage opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.