Strategies for Effectively Managing Stakeholders in 4IR Information Technology (IT) Projects

Abstract

As a result of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the resultant rapid growth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, effective stakeholder management in Information Technology (IT) projects has become pivotal for project success. This study explores strategies for IT stakeholder management. The emphasis is on proactive and innovative approaches. Using a mono-method research approach, data was collected through online questionnaires distributed using the Lime Survey platform, targeting IT project professionals. The findings highlight the importance of regular and transparent communication, stakeholder engagement in planning and decision-making processes, and the use of data analytics and AI for informed stakeholder engagement. Factor analysis identified two primary components: traditional engagement-focused practices and data-driven decision-making. The results underscore the necessity of integrating human-centred and technology-centric strategies to enhance stakeholder management and project success in the dynamic landscape of 4IR.