What does 'Stakeholder Analysis' help business analysts to achieve?

Stakeholder analysis is a critical activity for business analysts as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the stakeholders involved in a project. By identifying and analyzing stakeholders, their interests, and their influence, business analysts can ensure that all relevant voices are considered in the project. This process helps to clarify stakeholder needs and expectations, which is vital for eliciting requirements and making informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

Understanding stakeholder influence allows business analysts to prioritize communication and engagement strategies tailored to different stakeholders. Recognizing both their level of influence and their interest in the project enables the analyst to manage relationships effectively, mitigate conflicts, and harness support where it is most needed. By fostering stronger relationships with key stakeholders, business analysts can also facilitate better collaboration and increase the likelihood of project success.

In contrast, other options such as avoiding project scope creep, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, or establishing a project timeline, while important aspects of project management, are more indirect outcomes of effective stakeholder engagement rather than the primary focus of stakeholder analysis itself. Thus, the essence of stakeholder analysis lies in deeply understanding these individuals and groups to drive project outcomes effectively.