Review of Stakeholder Engagement and Alignment Strategies in Large-Scale Operations Programs

Stakeholder engagement and alignment are critical success factors in large-scale operations programs, where diverse interests, resources, and performance expectations converge. This review synthesizes existing scholarship and practice-oriented frameworks on stakeholder management, exploring strategies such as participatory governance, communication pathways, collaborative decision-making, and alignment mechanisms across industries. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between stakeholder mapping, power–interest dynamics, conflict resolution, and the use of digital tools for engagement. The paper also highlights case studies from large infrastructure, energy, and technology operations to illustrate practical approaches to achieving consensus, sustaining trust, and mitigating risks of misalignment. By integrating theoretical and applied perspectives, this review underscores the importance of adaptive strategies that account for complexity, uncertainty, and evolving stakeholder expectations. Recommendations are provided for advancing stakeholder alignment practices in future large-scale operations to enhance program sustainability, efficiency, and social legitimacy.