To assess Stakeholder Management effectively, focusing on Cross-functional Collaboration and Executive Communication, consider these questions:

Cross-functional Collaboration

1. How are cross-functional teams structured to facilitate collaboration between engineering and other departments?
2. What mechanisms are in place to ensure smooth communication and workflow across teams?
3. How does the engineering team collaborate with product management, sales, marketing, and customer support?
4. What challenges have been encountered in cross-functional collaboration, and how were they addressed?
5. How are project goals and priorities communicated across different teams?
6. What tools or platforms are used to manage cross-functional projects and communication?
7. How is feedback from other departments integrated into engineering work?
8. What processes ensure alignment of engineering outputs with the needs and timelines of other departments?
9. How are conflicts between different departments resolved?
10. What role do leadership and management play in fostering cross-functional collaboration?

Executive Communication

1. How are engineering strategies and updates communicated to the executive team and board?
2. What format and frequency are used for executive reporting on engineering matters?
3. How does the engineering leadership ensure their messaging aligns with the interests and concerns of executives?
4. What mechanisms are in place for executives to provide feedback or requests to the engineering team?
5. How is critical information from executive meetings disseminated within the engineering team?
6. What role do executives play in setting engineering priorities and strategies?
7. How are engineering challenges and successes showcased to executives?
8. What processes exist for executives to request specific reports or analyses from engineering?
9. How does the engineering department prepare for and contribute to strategic planning meetings with executives?
10. How is transparency maintained in communications between engineering leadership and the executive team?

These questions are designed to uncover the effectiveness of collaboration and communication strategies with internal stakeholders, ensuring that engineering initiatives are well-aligned with overall organizational goals and that there is mutual understanding and support across departments.