In response to stakeholders' availability for a workshop, what should the BA do if one stakeholder cannot attend?

The best approach when faced with the unavailability of a key stakeholder is to conduct a follow-up survey to gather input. This method ensures that the feedback and insights of that stakeholder are still considered, even if they cannot be physically present at the workshop. It also maintains the momentum of the project by allowing the workshop to proceed as planned without unnecessary delays. Gathering input through a survey allows for flexibility and can lead to more comprehensive perspectives from stakeholders who may have differing views or insights.

Proceeding with the workshop as scheduled could lead to incomplete discussions or important insights being missed, given that one stakeholder’s input may change the direction of decisions made during the workshop. Holding a one-on-one session with each stakeholder may be overly time-consuming and not practical, especially if there are multiple stakeholders involved. Canceling the workshop and rescheduling could significantly delay the project timeline, which isn’t ideal when there are alternative means to gather the necessary feedback. Thus, conducting a follow-up survey to gather input enhances stakeholder engagement and fosters continued collaboration in a manageable way.