Relationship Management PlanRELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT PLAN TEMPLATE -- This Relationship Management Plan Template is free for you to copy and use on your project and within your organization. We hope that you find this template useful and welcome your comments. Public distribution of this document is only permitted from the Project Management Docs official website at: www.ProjectManagementDocs.comA good relationship starts with a good plan. This is especially true in project management. Whether you're running a business, managing a project or asking someone out for a date; a good approach can make the difference between success and failure. It's important that your organization has a good approach for managing customers. By having a customer management plan you can capture important information about your customer and have a proven approach to the relationship with your customer.projectmanagementdocs.comPMDC_8657d218-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd_8657d434-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd_8657d4f2-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bdRelationshipsCustomer Relationship Management (CRM) is an imperative business function which forms and develops a mutually beneficial relationship between a provider and a client. The significance of CRM has grown from simple customer service to an integrated solution which establishes a level of trust in forming long term relationships and identifying additional business opportunities. While CRM or a CRM Plan is not a formal tenet of project management, it is an area which can be used by an organization to compliment the products or services it provides through various projects. OrganizationDescribe the customer organization._8657d5a6-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd1This section describes the customer organization and may include details regarding the customer’s history, leadership, organizational structure/environment, industry, and performance. The more detail that is provided, the better the plan will illustrate ways in which the relationship can be effectively managed._8657d65a-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bdNeedsDescribe the specific needs that the customer has._8657d718-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd2This section describes the specific needs that the customer has. These may be needs that are currently being addressed in the business relationship or needs that have been identified that can be developed into new opportunities. Many times a client will plainly state what their needs are to see if their vendor is able to help them. This section should not be confused with the identification of other potential opportunities._8657d7f4-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bdOpportunitiesDescribe other potential opportunities that have not specifically been brought up by the customer._8657d8e4-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd3Many times, through the course of normal work between organizations, other potential opportunities may be identified which have not specifically been brought up by the customer. This section provides a description of these opportunities, any discussions that have taken place regarding these opportunities, and how the organization may be able to help the customer. This section may also provide a list or description of next steps in pursuing these potential opportunities. There may also be occasions where the potential opportunity comes with significant risk or is not pursued for another reason. _8657d998-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bdStrategyDescribe the strategy for how the organization will strengthen and maintain the business relationship with its customer._8657da4c-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd4This section describes the strategy for how the organization will strengthen and maintain the business relationship with its customer. This may include descriptions of the health of the current relationship, courses of action to grow the relationship, any opportunities for partnering, descriptions of any conflict in the relationship, and any individuals or groups which must be part of this effort._8657db0a-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bdCommunications PlanDescribe how the company will maintain communications with the customer._8657e2a8-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd5This section should describe how the company will maintain communications with the customer. This may include methods of communication, frequency, who will communicate, what information will be communicated, and the purpose of the communications. Effective communication is an important part of building and maintaining healthy business relationships with customers. They must understand that their needs are important to us as well as understand the ways we can help them which they may not already be aware of._8657e38e-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bdValue PropositionDescribe the how the company adds value to the customer._8657e46a-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd6This section should describe the how your company adds value to the customer. It should address what your company offers that others do not or why your performance is more valuable than a competitor’s. Customer satisfaction, unique products or services, or tailored solutions are common ways a company can establish value. Value propositions are used to set your company apart from its competition. The tenets of the company’s value proposition should be the basis of communication between your organization and existing or potential customers._8657e53c-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bdApprovalObtain any necessary approvals._8657e60e-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd7The Relationship Management Plan may or may not require executive approval depending on the organization. Although it is an extremely valuable tool, it is not a formal part of project management methodology or framework._8657e708-d940-11e4-9584-911f558cc3bd2015-04-02http://www.projectmanagementdocs.com/project-planning-templates/relationship-management-plan.htmlOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net