This article was prompted by my visit to a construction project last week and learning about how that company handled stakeholder communication. It made me wonder how many other organisations or even project teams within a larger business have similar communication needs for a project. During my visit to the construction site, I learned how the stakeholders for their project might include local councillors, council officers, former estate residents, prospective tenants, local businesses, and the wider community affected by their activities. However, once the project is finished and handed over to the local authority, the need to hold contact details will end. That got me thinking about how organisations allow for consent management and ensure stakeholders or contacts have the right to be forgotten once a project is finished.
Many organisations and functions have similar communication needs when managing projects that impact multiple stakeholders. Some examples include:
- Infrastructure & Transport Projects – Roadworks, railway expansions, and new transit developments require ongoing updates for residents, commuters, and businesses.
- Urban Planning & Regeneration Initiatives – Councils and property developers must engage with communities when redeveloping town centres or estates.
- Environmental & Renewable Energy Projects – Wind farms, solar projects, and conservation efforts must communicate with landowners, advocacy groups, and local authorities.
- Charitable and Non-Profit Organisations – Groups running community projects or social initiatives must maintain dialogue with beneficiaries, donors, and local partners.
- Public Sector and Government Bodies – Agencies implementing health, education, or social welfare projects must ensure transparency and regular updates for citizens and stakeholders.
Consent Management in Sage CRM
Sage CRM has built-in features to help organisations manage stakeholder consent in compliance with data protection regulations, such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
- Capturing Consent – Stakeholders can be given clear options to opt in or out of communications. Consent preferences can be recorded directly in Sage CRM.
- Audit Trails – The system maintains records of when and how consent was given, providing transparency and ensuring compliance.
- Preference Management – Stakeholders can choose the type of information they receive (e.g., newsletters, project updates, event invitations) and through which channels (email, SMS, etc.).
Ensuring the Right to Be Forgotten
When a project ends or when stakeholders request removal, Sage CRM allows organisations to respect their right to be forgotten by:
- Automated Data Deletion – CRM administrators can set up workflows that flag and delete stakeholder data once the project concludes.
- Anonymisation of Records – Instead of complete deletion, some organisations may anonymise data while keeping general project insights for reporting.
- Scheduled Data Retention Policies – Sage CRM can enforce predefined retention periods to remove personal data automatically when it is no longer required.
By integrating these features, Sage CRM ensures that projects maintain compliance with data protection laws while improving efficiency in stakeholder communication.
The construction project that I visited was funded by the local authority. I wonder if you agree with my thoughts. I would be interested in reading your views, so please feel free to comment below.