A stakeholder is the name of an individual or group that is impacted by a change. A stakeholder can be anyone who has an interest, influence, or dependency on the outcome of the change, such as the customers, users, employees, managers, suppliers, or regulators. A stakeholder can be affected positively or negatively by the change, and may have different expectations, needs, or concerns regarding the change. Therefore, it is important to identify, analyze, and engage the stakeholders throughout the change management process, and to communicate, consult, and collaborate with them effectively. A change agent is the name of an individual or group that initiates, sponsors, or implements the change. A change agent can be an internal or external party that has the authority, resources, or skills to drive the change and overcome the resistance. A sponsor is the name of an individual or group that provides the strategic direction, funding, and support for the change. A sponsor is usually a senior executive or a leader who has the power and influence to champion the change and ensure its alignment with the organizational vision and goals. An end user is the name of an individual or group that uses the product, service, or system that is subject to the change. An end user is a type of stakeholder, but not all stakeholders are end users. References: CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition, Chapter 19: Security Operations, page 1828.
