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Model / Deliver a Project / Set the Direction / Make Friends and Keep Them Friendly
Rule 04 of 12

Make Friends and Keep Them Friendly.

Think ahead about the people who could help or hurt your progress.

Two people sharing a relaxed conversation beside a yellow wall.

Seek clarity on:

  • –Identifying the people who matter most
  • –Finding early supporters and change champions
  • –Building relationships before you need them
  • –Reducing friction when behaviour needs to change

If your project will require people to change their behaviour, this is usually called business change. Most projects have some element of this. Seek support from friendly people who support what you do and can act as change champions.

This step helps you build support before resistance hardens, and gives the work a better chance of landing well.

Questions to reflect on

There are no right answers here. You do not need to complete everything. Use what helps.

Who could help or hurt progress?

Think about the people whose support, resistance, or influence will shape what happens next.

  • Who needs to change behaviour for this to work?
  • Who influences others around this work?
  • Where could resistance show up first?

Who could become a change champion?

Find friendly people who support the work and can help bring others with them. Build strong relationships with the people whose support matters most.

  • Who already supports this direction?
  • Which relationships matter most early?
  • Who can speak for staff, customers, or users?

OptionalPause and reflect before moving forward. There are no right answers, and this will not block progress.

Use Readiness Check

Some teams use a Play to go deeper or add structure

Plays that support this Rule

Choose a play if you want more structure.

Identify Change Champions

Spot the people who can support the change early and help others move with it.

Start Play

Engage Key People

Identify the people who matter, then build and keep strong relationships.

Start Play

Further reading

  1. Article

    When leaders say yes but do not engage

    A PMO story about formal support, real engagement, and why useful champions can help an idea travel.

    Read
  2. Article

    Check real stakeholder engagement

    Stakeholder engagement is not just about having a plan. It is about checking whether the right people are really engaged, at the right time,...

    Read

What you can do next

Once you have early support and stronger relationships around the work, you are in a better position to identify previous examples you can learn from.

Recognise your project is not unique Return to Set the Direction

Confluity Project Model sitemap

Model overview

What are Jobs?

The model is organised into three Jobs:

Job 1: Set the Direction – shape the purpose into options and a preferred way forward.

Job 2: Prove It Works – test assumptions and reduce risk before going big.

Job 3: Make It Happen – deliver at scale and make sure people actually use what you build.

What are Simple Rules?

The model contains simple rules. These are short principles drawn from experience that help you make better decisions. Jobs, tasks, and plays help you put those rules into practice.

What is a Play?

A Play is a method or tool that helps you apply a rule or complete a task. Use the recommended Plays first for simpler projects before exploring others.

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