How would you handle an unresponsive key stakeholder

Question

Key stakeholders play a critical role in decision-making and project progression. When a key stakeholder becomes unresponsive, it can lead to delays and misaligned objectives. How can we effectively manage such situations to keep the project on track?

Answer 1

If a key stakeholder goes unresponsive, here’s how to handle it:

1. Send a Friendly Reminder: Politely nudge them, highlighting the importance of their input for the project’s progress.
2. Revisit Expectations: Remind them of the communication timelines you agreed on at the start.
3. Share Updates: Show them how their feedback is needed by sharing the current project status and where they’re needed.
4. Escalate Gently: If still no response, escalate to a higher-level stakeholder while keeping it professional.
5. Offer Alternatives: Suggest delegating decisions if they’re overwhelmed or need to pass it on.
6. Make Decisions: If it’s urgent, make decisions based on available data and consult others if necessary.
7. Set Regular Check-ins: Once you reconnect, set up regular check-ins to avoid future delays.