Stakeholder engagement is a process that involves identifying, understanding, and involving individuals or groups who have a stake in the outcome of a plan or project. It is important for strategic planning as it helps in listening to, collaborating with, or informing existing stakeholders, which can foster connections, trust, confidence, and buy-in for an organization's key initiatives
. Stakeholder engagement is fundamental to project success and achieving the expected impact, and it is often mandatory in various contexts
. The key principles of stakeholder engagement emphasize the importance of understanding and influencing stakeholders, building relationships, and coordinating engagement and influence across projects within programs
. This process provides opportunities to align business practices with societal needs and expectations, driving long-term sustainability and shareholder value
. A stakeholder engagement strategy involves the systematic identification, analysis, planning, and implementation of actions designed to influence stakeholders, with the sponsor playing a vital role in ensuring that business needs are met
