Overview
This practical 3-hour session builds on the fundamentals to strengthen stakeholder engagement skills. Learners explore how relationships shift over time, how to spot and respond to resistance, and how to prioritise competing demands. Practical frameworks and real-world application provide tools to strengthen influence and maintain alignment in changing project environments.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. An open mindset and willingness to participate in interactive exercises will enhance the learning experience.
Target audience
Professionals with a grounding in stakeholder management — through experience or the Fundamentals workshop — who want to build confidence in handling more complex, shifting relationships across technical and non-technical settings.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Identify the limits of static stakeholder tools and why engagement must adapt.
- Reassess stakeholder focus using value, risk, and project context.
- Spot signs of resistance and explore what drives challenging behaviors.
- Apply tools to build a targeted stakeholder plan and engagement approach.
What will the course cover?
- Understanding Stakeholders: Why stakeholder relationships shift over time and the importance of updating engagement approaches.
- Refining Priorities: Five strategic lenses — impact, alignment, influence, risk, and timing — for deciding where to focus effort.
- Decoding Conflict and Resistance: How to recognize early signs of disengagement, understand underlying causes, and respond constructively.
- Insights into Action: Practical planning and toolkit-building to strengthen stakeholder engagement in real contexts.
Exams and assessments
There are no formal exams or graded assessments in this course. Learners will participate in practical exercises and reflection tasks to consolidate their understanding.
Hands-on learning
This session includes:
- Interactive activities to reassess priorities as stakeholder needs shift
- Group work to explore hidden influence, resistance, and alignment
- Peer exchange to test approaches and share strategies
- Guided development of a personalized engagement toolkit to strengthen stakeholder planning
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.