where do account managers fit in pms?

[Jabba_Appraise]

So.. Would you consider an account manager a stakeholder? In our office setup account managers handle the initial proposal and client comms. Once the client signs off, the project team takes over.

My gut says yes.... they've still got skin in the game. If scope changes, they're pulled back in. Plus, PMs sometimes circle back to validate what was agreed on originally. Curious how others define it. Do you always list account managers as stakeholders or only when they stay involved past handoff?

 

[DPM.Ann]

An account manager absolutely sounds like a stakeholder in this scenario, and I would always list them as a stakeholder from the start. A stakeholder is anyone with an interest in or who is affected by the project, and that includes those who have to deal with the project's outcomes. Their initial agreement with the client and their role in future scope changes gives them a vested interest. That doesn't mean you need to loop them into every single meeting or email, but it does mean they're part of the communication plan. It's much easier to have them on your stakeholder list from the get-go than to scramble and add them later when something goes sideways. You can define their level of involvement as "consulted" or "informed" once the project is underway to clarify their role without overwhelming them.

 

[Alice_Lahan]

They’re stakeholders by influence, not by task. Their priorities might differ from yours, but they can affect decisions and client trust. I’ve found it helps to keep one touchpoint per project so they stay informed without slowing things down. Keeps both teams aligned when money or scope talk comes up.

 

[Hughes]

yes yes, they own the client relationship, get pulled in for scope changes, and you'll need them if things go sideways or upsell opportunities pop up. You could list them as secondary stakeholders on the RACI or comms plan. They don't need daily updates, but they should be in the loop on anything that affects the client relationship