How does stakeholder mapping guide outreach and expectations management?

• A. It identifies affected parties and their communication needs.
• B. It identifies furniture layout.
• C. It imposes deadlines.
• D. It assigns seating.

Answer: (A)

Stakeholder mapping focuses on who has an interest in the project and what information they need. By identifying affected parties and assessing their levels of influence and concern, you can tailor outreach to each group: decide who to inform, who to involve in decisions, what messages to share, and through which channels and at what frequency. This targeted approach helps manage expectations by aligning stakeholders’ expectations with what the project can deliver, clarifying decision points, and establishing agreed-upon timelines and responsibilities. It also guides when to engage people, what level of detail to provide, and how to address concerns before they become issues, so communication is purposeful and reduces surprises.

The other options describe logistical or scheduling tasks (furniture layout, seating, deadlines) rather than how to engage stakeholders and manage expectations.