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name: stakeholder-communication description: Master stakeholder communication with presentations, status updates, expectation management, and effective collaboration techniques for product success.

Stakeholder Communication

Effectively communicate with stakeholders through clear presentations, regular updates, and proactive expectation management to ensure alignment and support.

When to Use This Skill

• Presenting product vision and roadmap
• Providing status updates
• Managing expectations
• Resolving conflicts
• Gathering feedback
• Building consensus
• Securing resources
• Demonstrating value

Core Concepts

1. Stakeholder Types

Internal:

• Executive leadership
• Development team
• Sales and marketing
• Customer support
• Operations

External:

• Customers and users
• Partners and vendors
• Investors
• Regulators

2. Communication Channels

• Sprint reviews/demos
• Roadmap presentations
• Status reports
• Email updates
• One-on-one meetings
• Workshops
• Surveys and feedback forms

Practical Patterns

Pattern 1: Sprint Review Presentation

Copy## Sprint 12 Review - March 15, 2024

**Agenda** (30 minutes)
1. Sprint Goal Recap (2 min)
2. Demo of Completed Features (15 min)
3. Metrics and Progress (5 min)
4. Feedback and Q&A (8 min)

**Sprint Goal:**
"Enable users to collaborate in real-time"

**Completed Stories:** (13 stories, 55 points)
✅ Real-time document editing
✅ User presence indicators
✅ Comment threading
✅ @mentions and notifications

**Demo:**
[Live demonstration of features]

**Metrics:**
- Velocity: 55 points (avg: 50)
- Sprint completion: 100%
- Bug count: 2 (down from 5)
- User satisfaction: 4.5/5

**Next Sprint Focus:**
Advanced collaboration features

Pattern 2: Executive Status Report

Copy## Product Status Report - Q1 2024

**Executive Summary:**
On track to meet Q1 OKRs. MAU increased 35%, conversion up 2.1%. Mobile launch delayed by 2 weeks due to platform review.

**Key Metrics:**
| Metric | Target | Actual | Status |
|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| MAU | 200K | 215K | ✅ Ahead |
| Conversion | +2% | +2.1% | ✅ On Track |
| NPS | 45 | 42 | ⚠️ Below |
| Churn | 3% | 3.5% | ⚠️ Above |

**Achievements:**
- ✅ Launched new onboarding flow (+15% activation)
- ✅ Shipped analytics dashboard
- ✅ Completed 12 sprints with 98% predictability

**Challenges:**
- ⚠️ Mobile app delayed (App Store review)
- ⚠️ Churn higher than target (retention initiatives planned)

**Next Quarter Priorities:**
1. Complete mobile launch
2. Implement retention features
3. Begin enterprise tier development

**Asks:**
- Approve budget for retention marketing campaign
- Hire 2 additional engineers for mobile team

Pattern 3: Roadmap Presentation

Copy## 2024 Product Roadmap Presentation

**Slide 1: Vision**
"Empower teams to collaborate seamlessly, anywhere"

**Slide 2: Strategic Themes**
1. 🚀 Mobile-First Experience
2. 🤝 Real-Time Collaboration
3. 🏢 Enterprise Ready
4. 📊 Data & Insights

**Slide 3: Q1-Q2 Initiatives**
[Visual timeline showing major features]

**Slide 4: Success Metrics**
- 2x user growth
- 50% increase in team adoption
- Enterprise tier launch

**Slide 5: Dependencies & Risks**
- Platform approvals
- Technical scalability
- Competitive landscape

**Slide 6: Resource Requirements**
- 3 additional engineers
- 1 product designer
- $200K marketing budget

Pattern 4: Stakeholder Feedback Session

Copy## Product Feedback Workshop

**Objective:** Gather input on Q2 roadmap priorities

**Participants:**
- Sales: VP, 2 Account Managers
- Customer Success: Director, CS Manager
- Engineering: CTO, Lead Developer
- Marketing: CMO

**Agenda:**
1. Current roadmap review (10 min)
2. Customer pain points discussion (20 min)
3. Prioritization exercise (20 min)
4. Next steps (10 min)

**Questions:**
1. What are the top 3 customer requests?
2. Which features would unblock deals?
3. What competitive gaps exist?
4. Which initiatives align with company OKRs?

**Outcome:**
- Ranked list of priorities
- Customer stories and evidence
- Alignment on Q2 focus areas

Best Practices

Communication

1. Know your audience - Tailor message and detail level
2. Be concise - Respect time, get to the point
3. Use visuals - Charts, demos, mockups
4. Tell stories - Make it relatable and memorable
5. Be transparent - Share progress and challenges
6. Listen actively - Understand concerns and feedback
7. Follow up - Document and share notes
8. Regular cadence - Consistent communication schedule

Expectation Management

1. Under-promise, over-deliver - Build trust
2. Communicate early - Don't wait for problems
3. Explain trade-offs - Help understand priorities
4. Provide context - Share reasoning
5. Set clear timelines - Realistic commitments
6. Acknowledge constraints - Be honest about limitations
7. Celebrate wins - Recognize progress
8. Address concerns - Don't ignore issues

Resources

• Crucial Conversations: Patterson & Grenny
• Made to Stick: Heath & Heath
• The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Gallo