What practice best supports stakeholder buy-in?

• A. Limit communication
• B. Keep decisions secret
• C. Assign blame for failures
• D. Involve stakeholders early

Answer: (D)

Involvement and ownership drive stakeholder buy-in. Bringing stakeholders in early lets them contribute requirements, share concerns, and influence the plan before decisions are locked in, which makes them feel heard and responsible for the outcome. This early collaboration builds trust, aligns expectations, and reduces resistance later because people understand the rationale and see how their input shaped the direction. The other approaches undermine buy-in: limiting communication creates gaps and mistrust; keeping decisions secret blinds stakeholders to progress and fosters suspicion; and blaming failures signals a punitive culture that discourages open feedback. With early involvement, expectations are managed, relationships are strengthened, and implementation proceeds more smoothly.