ITIL 4 Foundation Practice Exam 2025 - Free ITIL 4 Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the context of an organization, a stakeholder refers to any individual or group that has an interest or investment in the organization’s affairs. This can include employees, customers, suppliers, investors, and even the community at large. Stakeholders are integral to the organization's success, as they can affect and be affected by the organization's objectives and actions. Their interests and needs should be considered in decision-making processes to ensure that the organization can effectively align its strategy and operations with these interests.

The other options do not capture the essence of what a stakeholder is. A document providing guidelines for operations relates more to organizational processes and procedures than individual or collective interests. A change that requires high-level authorization describes a specific internal action rather than a person or entity with vested interests. A description of a product's qualities pertains to product specifications and does not encompass the broader context of individuals or groups with interests in the organization. Therefore, the definition of a stakeholder accurately encompasses the diverse interests involved in an organization's ecosystem.