StakeholderMapping

Stakeholder mapping is a systematic method used in project management, change management, and strategic planning to identify and analyze individuals, groups, and organizations that can affect or be affected by a project. The goal is to understand their interests, influence, and likely stance, so that engagement can be tailored to support successful outcomes.

The process typically involves identifying stakeholders, assessing their power, legitimacy, and urgency or influence and impact, and prioritizing them for engagement. Common approaches include the power/interest grid, which plots stakeholders on axes of power to influence and interest in the project; the influence/impact matrix; and the Salience model, which considers power, legitimacy, and urgency to determine priority.

Outputs commonly include a stakeholder map or register, an engagement or communication plan, and a risk or mitigation plan. The mapping informs decisions about resource allocation, messaging, timing of communications, and governance structures. Stakeholders are usually categorized as internal or external, primary or secondary, and as sponsors, end users, regulators, communities, or other groups.

Best practices emphasize early and ongoing involvement, transparency, and regular updating as project circumstances change. Ethical considerations include protecting sensitive information and avoiding manipulation. Limitations include subjectivity in assessing influence and interest, the dynamic nature of relationships, and the challenge of engaging a large or diverse set of stakeholders. Stakeholder mapping is often complemented by stakeholder analysis and the broader stakeholder management process, and is used across sectors such as business, technology, public policy, and community development.