Map Stakeholder Influence

Optional inputs

• Stakeholder interests and concerns
• Power/influence relationships
• History of stakeholder dynamics
• Desired outcome from stakeholder engagement

Upstream context

Works best when:

• Initiative scope and goals are defined
• Key decisions are identified

Downstream handoff

Output can feed:

• communicate-decisions-tradeoffs (communicate to stakeholders per the map)
• build-executive-narrative (executive stakeholders get narrative treatment)

Instructions

1. Identify all stakeholders affected by or able to influence the initiative.
2. Assess each stakeholder: interest level, influence level, current stance (supporter / neutral / skeptic).
3. Map to a 2x2: high/low influence vs. high/low interest.
4. Define engagement strategy per quadrant.
5. Identify blockers and key allies.
6. Design a tailored engagement plan for high-influence stakeholders.

Output

Provide:

• Stakeholder inventory with role, interest, influence, stance
• Influence-interest map (2x2 or table)
• Engagement strategy by quadrant
• Key blockers and how to address them
• Key allies and how to leverage them
• Engagement plan for high-priority stakeholders

Risks / caveats

• Stakeholder maps go stale — update when the team or context changes
• Influence is informal as much as formal — don't only map org chart authority
• Engaging skeptics early is more effective than surprising them at the end