> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://usdr.gitbook.io/digital-service-toolkit/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://usdr.gitbook.io/digital-service-toolkit/align-your-stakeholders/alignment-overview.md).

# Alignment Overview

Bring stakeholders together to build a shared understanding of your current state, agree on priorities, and decide how to move forward

## What is Stakeholder Alignment?

Stakeholder alignment is the process of bringing together the people who influence, support, deliver, or are affected by your team's digital services work.

After gathering information and assessing your current state, alignment helps stakeholders make sense of what you learned, surface different perspectives, and reach agreement on a realistic direction.

<figure><img src="https://2300667447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvrFiXac7VON42MNzAMFq%2Fuploads%2FWTXIBf0r42ad7jL3NszM%2Fstakeholder%20alignment.png?alt=media&amp;token=2a23330c-a11f-45e7-bb03-d7f199a58e16" alt="Infographic titled &#x22;Stakeholder Alignment&#x22; showing four groups of people connected to a central Digital Services Work hub. At the center is a laptop icon representing digital services. Four surrounding stakeholder groups are connected with dotted lines: Influencers, illustrated by two people in discussion with a speech bubble, representing those who provide input, set direction, or make decisions; Supports, illustrated by a person giving a thumbs-up with a heart icon, representing those who champion the work, remove barriers, or provide resources; Deliverers, illustrated by a person working on a laptop with a gear icon, representing those who build, manage, or operate digital services and solutions; and Affected, illustrated by a resident with community icons, representing people who use or experience digital services and are impacted by the outcomes. The graphic uses a clean blue monochromatic color palette, simple vector illustrations, and a hub-and-spoke layout to emphasize how different stakeholder groups contribute to successful digital services."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Why it matters

Launching a digital service team often requires coordination across leadership, technology, programs, operations, procurement, HR, and other teams. Without alignment, unclear priorities, competing expectations, and unresolved concerns can slow progress.

**Building alignment helps you:**

1. Create a shared understanding of where things stand today
2. Identify common goals, concerns, and opportunities
3. Agree on the most important priorities
4. Clarify ownership and decision-making authority
5. Establish a realistic starting point for action

## What You’ll Find in This Section

* [ ] [**Plan the Alignment Workshop**](/digital-service-toolkit/align-your-stakeholders/alignment-workshop/plan-the-alignment-workshop.md)
  * Identify the right participants, structure the sessions, prepare attendees, and establish a shared understanding of key concepts.
* [ ] [**Facilitate the Alignment Workshop**](/digital-service-toolkit/align-your-stakeholders/alignment-workshop/facilitate-the-workshop.md)
  * Guide stakeholders through hopes and concerns, assessment findings, and prioritization exercises to build alignment on a path forward.
* [ ] [**Define Your Vision**](/digital-service-toolkit/align-your-stakeholders/define-your-vision.md)
  * Create a shared statement that defines whom your digital service team serves, what it does, and the value it provides.

#### **Putting it all together**

Use these resources to turn what you learned during your current-state assessment into a shared direction. Alignment is not a one-time activity. Continue bringing stakeholders together as priorities evolve, new information emerges, and your digital services work moves forward.

{% hint style="info" icon="hand-heart" %}
**Want help building your Digital Service Team?** [Request support here](https://form.jotform.com/240083950102041)
{% endhint %}