powerinterestmatrise

Power-interest matrix is a tool used in stakeholder analysis and project management to classify stakeholders by their level of power (influence) and their level of interest in a project or decision. The aim is to guide engagement and communication strategies and to allocate resources effectively.

Typically presented as a four-quadrant grid: high power and high interest (key players); high power and low interest (keep satisfied); low power and high interest (keep informed); low power and low interest (monitor with minimal effort). This structure helps teams prioritize who to involve more deeply and who needs fewer resources.

How to use: identify stakeholders, assess their power and interest, plot them on the matrix, and design engagement strategies for each group. This often includes tailored communication plans, decision-making involvement, and monitoring procedures. The matrix is commonly updated as project circumstances change to reflect shifts in influence or interest.

Origins and notes: The approach is commonly attributed to Mendelow’s stakeholder matrix, a model used in business and public-sector contexts to manage stakeholder relationships. It remains widely adopted due to its simplicity, but it has limitations: assessments can be subjective, the tool provides a static snapshot, and ongoing updates or complementary analyses are usually necessary for dynamic environments.