Who are stakeholders in a project?

Stakeholders in a project are individuals or groups who have a vested interest in the outcome of that project. This includes people who invest their time, resources, and expertise into the project, making them directly affected by its results. Their involvement can derive from various roles within and outside of the project team, including team members, project sponsors, clients, and even end-users. These stakeholders play a crucial role in providing input, making decisions, and influencing the project direction based on their needs, expectations, and investment.

In contrast, individuals without a financial or operational interest in the project would not typically be considered stakeholders, as they lack the direct investment or involvement necessary to impact the project's outcomes. Similarly, defining stakeholders solely as project managers and executives would limit the understanding of stakeholder engagement, as many other roles contribute to the project's success. Volunteers also may not encompass the full range of individuals or groups with interests in a project’s outcome, as stakeholders may not only be volunteers but also professionals with specific ties to the project goals. Thus, identifying stakeholders as those who actively invest time and resources into the project (and care about its results) properly captures the essence of the term.