Stakeholder and Communication Management †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Stakeholder and Communication Management. Answer: Introduction: J J furniture is a business engaged with building and selling furniture. It is currently establishing project teams that will enable it to achieve project goals. The project goals set include: persuading stakeholders, partners, critics on growth strategy, identify mitigation mechanisms of managing potential project risks, and maintaining customer needs and improve efficiency. The goals can be achieved by employing effective strategies and methodologies of managing challenges and project teams(Bryde, Broquetas Volm , 2013). J J furniture management will need to focus on a number of areas in order to manage different project teams towards the organization goals. They need to focus on leadership style, tool techniques, types of power and appropriate steps in managing project team challenges(Hurwitz Hurwitz, 2013). Project leadership involves using a suitable style that will inspire and guide employees towards intended goals. The appropriate leadership for J J furniture is democratic type of leadership style. The style allows participation among partners and stakeholders involved in ensuring project deliverables are met(Felix, 2013). Democratic leadership is appropriate over autocratic because the latter does not allow any form of participation and sharing of ideas or information(Armstrong, 2010). The goals of J J encourages sharing of expert guidance from different sections involved. Project tools and techniques for managing teams There are several tools and techniques that can be used to influence the project teams. They include use of communication plan, performance rating scales, and participative approaches to decision making. The participative approach is a technique which motivates project team to work towards intended goals. Performance rating scales will provide a means of appraising employees towards specific goals. The communication plan is a tool that focuses to manage information needs of all stakeholders. J J furniture stakeholders and partners will entail both internal and external representatives from different functional units and environments. Table 1 shows a summary of stakeholders with their information needs and methodology of communicating information. Audience Message Delivery method Delivery frequency Communicator Customer (external) Expectations of quality products Ads and products Real time Project manager Suppliers (external) Quality sourcing needs Meetings Weekly Project manager Investors (external) Project progress status Formal meetings, mails Real time Team leader IT rep (internal) Guidance on sophisticated system Meetings visits Weekly Project manager HR rep (internal) Guidance on HR planning Meetings reports Real time Project manager Manufacturing rep (internal) Guidance on safe environmental products Visits meetings Weekly Project manager Sales marketing reps (internal) Guidance on delivery of quality products Meetings (formal) Weekly Project manager Accounting Finance reps (internal) Guidance on cost and financial matters Reports meetings Real time Project manager Legal rep (internal) Legal compliance advices Formal meetings Real time Team leader Project teams and type of powers Different types of powers can be used in different situations and contexts. Project managers can use different types of power to achieve certain deliverables or influence team members(Cummings Worley, 2014). There are five types of powers that can be used to influence, motivate project teams and impact project performance. The powers include: legitimate, reward, expert, referent, and punishment power. Legitimate power- The power gives the project managers power to influence project teams to perform to required expectations and goals. It can impact the project results if project teams are motivated by recognizing and appreciating the legitimate power of their leader. Reward power- The project manager uses the power to reward good practices. The reward power is useful in motivating project team members. J J furniture can use it to encourage creativity and good performance of project teams. The impact of using the type of power is that project goals are achieved in professional and unique way. Expert power- The project managers uses knowledge, skills and information to lead by example. J J furniture can use it to motivate project team members to emulate performance of their leaders. The impact of the power to the project is that every project will be done as per a unified standard. Referent power- The power involves project managers associating themselves with people with more power and influence. The essence is to show project team members that the project is benefitting from the association. It can lead to project results because project team members will be comfortable with project leadership. Punishment power- The project managers use coercive power for compliances purposes. It can be used in implementing policies and ensuring compliance of them. The impact of such power is that certain functions will be achieved as required from fear of negative consequences. To alleviate challenges facing J J furniture the following steps can be used (Bourne, 2015: Building suitable project teams representing all units-The first step is to ensure that every member is included in solving the challenge and integrating more ideas towards the problem. Facilitate effective communication-The second step is to ensure information sharing becomes a critical component towards solving the problem. Encourage collaborations among team members-The third step is to encourage cohesion and team work in solving the challenges. Identify and overcome challenges facing the team members- Fourth step discuss as a team and come up with unified solutions to the challenges. Celebrate success Is the last step of solving the challenges. Conclusion Project team management is an essential in delivering project goals and solving challenges facing them. Project managers are tasked with the role of managing project teams. Each manager is expected to use suitable leadership styles, power and methodology in ensuring project goals are achieved. The management of J J furniture will need to employ suitable leadership style, power style, tools, techniques and steps to ensure project is delivered and challenges solved. References Armstrong, M. (2010). Human resource management. London, England: Mc Graw Hill. Bourne, L. (2015). Making projects work:effective stakeholder and communication management. New Delhi: CRC press. Bryde, Broquetas Volm . (2013). The project benefits of building information modelling. International Journal of project management, 31(7), 971-980. Cummings Worley. (2014). Organizational development and change. Chicago: Cengage Learning. Felix, D. (2013). Composition of a Successful Management Team: How Much and What Kind of Experience Makes a Difference? The Journal of Private Equity,, 1(1), 33-36. Hurwitz Hurwitz. (2013). Personal, Team, and Organizational Development. In Leadership is Half the Story: A Fresh Look at Followership, Leadership, and Collaboration. University of Toronto Press, 10(4), 23-78.