(This post started off as an email to a colleague. They asked me for feedback on how to speed up an agreement on technical issues. Halfway through my response, I realized the advice I was giving was broadly useful and I wanted to write it up more thoroughly.)

So you want to write some code or do something that affects more than just you. Great! Whenever this happens, you will face three basic challenges:

1. Find the stakeholders.
2. Explain the problem to the stakeholders.
3. Listen to and address concerns that the stakeholders have.

Once you’ve done all three, you’re done! The actual work is usually straightforward once your team is supporting you.