PM Networking: Managing Stakeholders When Everything Is “High Priority” (DPMC)

Overview
The Denver Project Management Collaborative (DPMC) hosts this weekly, practitioner-led forum for project, program, and change professionals who want real conversations about real work.

Each week we focus on a specific topic shaping the project management profession—combining structured discussion, peer learning, and intentional networking.

This forum is designed for practitioners who value thoughtful participation, respectful dialogue, and practical experience.

February focus: Delivery Excellence
This Week’s Focus: Stakeholder Management When Everything Is “High Priority”

Description
In many organizations, delivery challenges are less about execution and more about competing priorities, unclear decision rights, and conflicting stakeholder expectations. When everything is labeled “high priority,” PMs are often left managing tension instead of progress.

This session is designed for experienced PMs who want to strengthen how they create alignment under pressure—surfacing real priorities, framing tradeoffs clearly, and maintaining trust with stakeholders while protecting delivery teams.

We’ll focus on practical approaches for navigating ambiguity, escalations, and constant urgency—especially in environments where prioritization is implicit, political, or avoided altogether.

This is not a sales pitch and not a conflict-resolution workshop. It’s a grounded, peer-driven discussion focused on applicability, judgment, and professional growth.

What to Expect
• Structured introductions (no awkward open mingling)
• Small-group discussion with rotating prompts
• A practical takeaway you can use immediately
• A professional, welcoming environment for experienced PMs and leaders

Whether you’re actively job searching, securely employed, or simply staying sharp—this session is designed to be worth your time.

AGENDA
0–5 min | Welcome & Framing
• What DPMC is (and is not)
• Topic framing: why this matters now

5–15 min | Structured Introductions
This week’s introduction:
• Intro: Name, role, and reason for attending
• Question: What’s one “high priority” request you’re currently managing—and what tradeoff is it forcing?

15–45 min | Facilitated Breakout Discussions
Prompts and discussion topics:
• How do you force prioritization conversations when leaders won’t explicitly rank work?
• What language helps communicate tradeoffs without sounding resistant or negative?
• How do you manage conflicting stakeholders when decision ownership is unclear?
• When do you escalate—and how do you do it without damaging relationships?
• How do you protect team focus and morale in a constant-urgency environment?
(Groups rotate once midway to broaden perspectives.)

45–55 min | Group Synthesis
• One insight per group
• Patterns you’re seeing across roles and industries

55–60 min | Close & Forward Signal
• Next week’s topic: Metrics That Executives Actually Care About
• Upcoming relevant partner events
• Wrap up

60–90 min | Open / Networking
• Mingle and continue conversations
• Grab food or drinks from the food court

This event is part of a weekly series hosted by Denver Project Management Collaborative (DPMC), with rotating topics focused on modern project leadership, delivery excellence, and career growth.