Stakeholder Mapping
Understanding Influence, Needs, and Relationship Dynamics
This tool helps leaders identify the people who shape a project’s success, understand each stakeholder's needs, and clarify how to engage them intentionally. It blends strategic clarity with relational intelligence.
1. Identify Your Stakeholders
List every person or group who has influence over, interest in, or is impacted by your project.
Decision‑makers
Sponsors
Contributors
Blockers
End users
Adjacent teams
Community members
External partners
Stakeholder List:
2. Map Their Influence & Interest
Rate each stakeholder on two dimensions:
Influence: How much power they have to shape or block the work
Interest: How affected they are by the outcome
Use a 1–5 scale (1 = low, 5 = high).
This creates your influence–interest map.
3. Understand Their Motivations
This is where your tool becomes uniquely you—warm, reflective, and relational.
For each stakeholder, answer:
What do they care about most in this project?
What pressures or constraints are they carrying?
What outcome would feel like a win for them?
What fears, risks, or concerns might they be holding?
Notes:
4. Assess the Relationship
Rate the current relationship quality with each stakeholder.
Strong — trust, communication, alignment
Neutral — functional but not deep
Weak — tension, distance, or misalignment
Unknown — limited interaction
Then reflect:
What is the emotional tone of this relationship?
What patterns show up between you?
What does this relationship need from you right now?
Relationship Notes:
5. Identify What Each Stakeholder Needs
This is the heart of the tool—what they need from you or the project.
Information
Clarity
Reassurance
Involvement
Recognition
Boundaries
Decision rights
Support
Time
Proof of progress
Their Needs:
6. Determine Your Engagement Strategy
Use the influence–interest map to guide your approach.
High Influence / High Interest:
Engage closely. Co‑create. Keep them informed and involved.High Influence / Low Interest:
Keep them aligned. Provide concise updates. Avoid surprises.Low Influence / High Interest:
Communicate clearly. Offer transparency. Build trust.Low Influence / Low Interest:
Monitor lightly. Keep informed as needed.
Your Strategy:
7. Clarify Your Next Steps
Choose 1–3 actions that will strengthen alignment, reduce friction, or build momentum.
Examples:
Schedule a check‑in
Share a draft or update
Ask for input
Clarify expectations
Address a concern directly
Offer reassurance
Set a boundary
Celebrate a win
Next Steps:
8. Reflection: Your Leadership Presence
This final section brings your signature clarity lens.
How do you want to show up with these stakeholders?
What energy or tone will support the work?
What assumptions might you need to release?
What conversations are you avoiding?
Reflection:
