Stakeholder Email
From: Kudo Takeshi (Director, Digital Transformation) <[email protected]>
To: Sakurai Saki; Aoyama Ren
Cc: Yamamoto Reiko (VP, Product Strategy)
Subject: RE: XR Platform — A Few Thoughts for Next Steps
Saki, Ren —
Enjoyed the kickoff recap. A few suggestions from the leadership side. Nothing major — just things I'd like the team to consider as we move forward:
1. VP Yamamoto's team has expressed interest in using the XR platform for their retail pilot. I've told them we'd explore it. Can we scope that into the current plan?
2. The board presentation in Q3 will need a live demo. Let's make sure the timeline reflects that. I trust you'll figure out the details.
3. One more thing — my assistant Noda-san will need view access to all project documentation. She manages my calendar and handles stakeholder briefings on my behalf.
Looking forward to great things.
— Kudo
Hina (陽菜) "Um, Ren? Can I ask something? At the kickoff — why was Sakurai-san so… formal with you? Like, extra formal. Even for her."
Ren (蓮) "That's just how she is. Hey, have you started on that stakeholder list yet?"
Stakeholder Register
Definition A document listing all identified stakeholders and their attributes — roles, interests, expectations, and potential impact on the project.
Components Stakeholder name & role · Contact information · Assessment of interest and influence · Classification category · Engagement strategy
Related Terms stakeholder, sponsor, project manager
Example Hina starts building the register after the kickoff. Director Kudo's email reveals hidden stakeholders — VP Yamamoto, Noda-san — who weren't on the original list. Each one needs to be captured with their level of interest and authority.
Power/Interest Grid
Definition A tool classifying stakeholders by their authority (power) and their concern (interest) in the project, producing four quadrants of engagement strategy.
Components High power / high interest → Manage closely · High power / low interest → Keep satisfied · Low power / high interest → Keep informed · Low power / low interest → Monitor
Related Terms stakeholder, stakeholder register, engagement level
Example Director Kudo sits squarely in "high power / high interest" — he controls budget and actively shapes scope. VP Yamamoto is "high power / low interest" (for now), but that could shift if the retail pilot gains traction.
Engagement Level
Definition The degree to which a stakeholder is involved in the project — ranging from unaware to resistant, neutral, supportive, or leading.
Components Current engagement level · Desired engagement level · Gap analysis · Engagement actions
Related Terms stakeholder register, power/interest grid, influence
Example Director Kudo's engagement level is "leading" — he's actively steering the project. Noda-san is "unaware" until she receives documentation access. The team needs to move her to at least "supportive."
Influence
Definition The ability of a stakeholder to affect project decisions, direction, or outcomes — whether through formal authority or informal relationships.
Components Formal authority (role-based) · Informal authority (relationship-based) · Direct vs. indirect influence · Influence trajectory over time
Related Terms stakeholder, sponsor, power/interest grid
Example Noda-san has low formal authority but high indirect influence — she controls Director Kudo's calendar and briefings. Overlooking her could mean losing access to the sponsor.
Requirements
Definition Conditions or capabilities needed by a stakeholder — what the project must deliver, achieve, or enable to be considered successful.
Components Business requirements · Stakeholder requirements · Functional requirements · Non-functional requirements
Related Terms stakeholder register, deliverable, scope
Example Director Kudo's email introduces new requirements: retail pilot compatibility and a live board demo. Each must be captured, assessed for feasibility, and traced back to the stakeholder who requested it.