Stakeholder & Communications Management Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

6 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 0.6 CEUs

This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take Stakeholder & Communications Management.

Communicating and working effectively with project stakeholders can be one of the most challenging aspects of managing projects. This course focuses on tools for effective communications planning, including how to analyze and respond to stakeholder needs. The course introduces the concept of interest-based negotiation (IBN) and outlines an IBN process for achieving and maintaining stakeholder agreement as the project progresses. In this highly interactive course, participants will learn how to identify and analyze stakeholders, evaluate stakeholder needs, develop a communications plan, and employ interest-based negotiation strategies.

Prior to enrolling, it is recommended that students have prior experience in project management, familiarity with the PMI framework, an understanding of communication methods, stakeholder engagement, and the triple constraint of time, cost, and scope.

Full Tuition

$849
Due before the class starts

This course includes

6 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 0.6 CEUs

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

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Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

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Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

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Stakeholder & Communications Management Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Identify elements of the standard PMI project management framework (process map).
Describe the relationship between project stakeholders and communications management processes throughout the project lifecycle.
Create stakeholder and communications management deliverables, including a stakeholder register, communications plan, and stakeholder management strategy.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: A Refresher: The Standard Project Management Framework

Review the Project Management Institute (PMI) framework, the PMBOK® Guide, and the 10 knowledge areas and 5 process groups within the standard project management framework.
Learn how stakeholder and communications management fits within the PMI framework and project lifecycle.
Discuss the concept of the triple constraint (time, cost, scope) and its impact on stakeholder and communication planning.

Module 2: Stakeholder Identification and Analysis

Define stakeholders and explain their importance in a project.
Learn how to identify and analyze project stakeholders, using tools like stakeholder registers and classification techniques (e.g., power/interest grid).
Understand the process of categorizing stakeholders based on their influence, interest, and potential impact on the project.
Apply stakeholder analysis to a case study, identifying key stakeholders and their interests in the project.

Module 3: Planning for Effective Communication

Learn the sender-receiver communication model and identify common barriers to communication, such as environmental, cultural, and emotional barriers.
Understand how to select the appropriate communication media to overcome barriers and ensure effective information exchange.
Develop a communications plan for the project, including identifying key messages, communication methods, frequency, and stakeholder considerations.

Module 4: Managing Stakeholder Expectations

Explore how to manage stakeholder expectations, resolve conflicts, and address discrepancies between stakeholder positions and project goals.
Learn about interest-based negotiation (IBN) and the four steps of the negotiation process: separating people from the problem, focusing on interests, brainstorming options, and basing the result on objective standards.
Apply IBN techniques to a case study to find mutually beneficial solutions and manage stakeholder expectations effectively.

Group Training

Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.

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Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$849.00	Total You Pay