Stakeholder mapping

The project manager is responsible for the stakeholder mapping but in close collaboration with the business / senior users.

Stakeholder mapping is used to inform development of the project communication plan. For each category of stakeholders the outcome of this analysis will affect:

who the key communicators are,
what the key messages are,
selection of appropriate communication channels,
timing and frequency of communications.

Targeting communications in this way means that we can meet the communication needs of all groups, without wasted effort or cost, and without risking disengagement through issue of unwanted communications.

How do we do stakeholder analysis?

Before you can map your stakeholders you will need to run a stakeholder identification and analysis session.

A template has been provided for you that can be used to represent the outcomes of that workshop. It provides a graphical representation of the perceptions of your key stakeholders with regard to:

their interest in the outcome of your project,
the extent to which they are able to positively or negatively influence the outcomes of your project,
how accessible they are as a stakeholder group (the effort to communicate with a group that you do not have an access, route into and the need to find alternative ways of reaching them),
the current level of engagement with your project.

Use the stakeholder mapping document template (requires free Lucid chart account). This will then support reporting on the shifting levels of engagement, etc., as your project progresses, providing feedback on the efficiency of your communications to date. It can also prompt and support identification of any changes in position that may require revision of communications approach.