SDP Cohort 18 Orientation

OVERVIEW
In this session, we will learn about some of the theory and frameworks behind relationship-building, identify your projects' interested parties and individuals, and analyze the roles they might play in the success of your project. At the end of the session, fellows and their supervisors will walk away with the start of a customized, actionable stakeholder engagement plan.

MATERIALS
See attached readings.

Supplemental:

• Blog Post: Erika Larsen Feature
  https://sdp.cepr.harvard.edu/blog/2025/01/leveraging-data-foster-family-engagement
• Erika Larsen Impact Story (see attached)

PRE-WORK / BEFORE THE SESSION
Please read “Friend, Foe, Ally, Adversary…Or Something Else?”

As you read: Reflect on each of the mistakes identified in the reading. Try to think of an example from your work life for at least two. How did a relationship misclassification impact you, your work, and/or your team?

Consider the project your organization will undertake for the fellowship. Begin to think broadly about those who will be engaged in, impacted by, or decision makers for the work. How would you start to classify them?