So I did a two day piece of work on a clientâs Programme. Two days. When I was done, I was done. No more work required for me or from me. Yet, my name (and email address) was captured by the Programme Manager as a Stakeholder.
As a Stakeholder, I began to receive weekly updates on the Programme. These were not tailored to me, a contractor who contributed a minuscule amount of work for a tiny portion of one project in the slew of projects within the Programme. No, these weekly updates were A) directed to every single Stakeholder on the Programme and B) detailing everything about everything about the Programme.
I actually read the first email I got. I think I was in disbelief and became utterly amazed. I was so caught up in the spectacle, my curiosity got the best of me. At least one hour later, coming out of the haze of marvel and astonishment, I put together a reply to my new Programme Manager friend. My tone was fairly straightforward and a bit advisory.
I explained that I had completed the small amount of work for the Programme. There was not going to be any need for me in the future. If there was, my contact knew how to contact me for my availability. I requested to be removed from the âStakeholder listâ.
I went on to explain that there are some best practise methods / techniques / bodies of knowledge out there to help improve Stakeholder Communications on Programmes. And that one of the biggest pieces of advice there is, is to start with analysing the Stakeholders, putting them into Stakeholder groups (if appropriate) based on their interest areas and then tailoring Programme communications to these interests and communication needs.
Based on the email I received, I didnât think this had been done appropriately (or at all?), as it seemed all Stakeholders were receiving all information. I added that it was not fair or appropriate to ask Stakeholders to sift through a giant email looking for relevant information that they are interested in. Instead it was the responsibly of the Programme to provide the right information to the right stakeholders (at the right time, might I add, not just on a weekly basis).
I did not get a response. Rather, I received the next weekâs Programme update.
I tried one more time. A bit less âhey hoâ and bit more âremove me, please. I am not a Stakeholderâ.
With no other options, on the third update, I marked it as SPAM. Itâs been about a year. Iâm pretty sure Iâm still getting the updates.
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