What is the best way to identify potential allies and opponents using stakeholder mapping?

1 What is stakeholder mapping?

Stakeholder mapping is a process of identifying and visualizing the relevant stakeholders for a specific project, initiative, or decision. It involves brainstorming and researching who they are, what they want, how they can help or hinder you, and how important they are for your success. Stakeholder mapping can be done using various tools and frameworks, such as matrices, charts, diagrams, or software. The main purpose of stakeholder mapping is to help you plan and prioritize your stakeholder engagement activities, such as communication, consultation, negotiation, or partnership.

2 How to use stakeholder mapping to analyze your stakeholders?

One of the most common and useful ways to use stakeholder mapping is to plot your stakeholders on a matrix based on two criteria: their level of interest and their level of influence. Interest refers to how much they care about your project, initiative, or decision, and how it affects their goals and needs. Influence refers to how much they can affect the outcome of your project, initiative, or decision, and how much power they have over you or others. By plotting your stakeholders on a matrix, you can categorize them into four groups: high interest and high influence (key players), high interest and low influence (supporters), low interest and high influence (influencers), and low interest and low influence (bystanders).

3 How to identify potential allies and opponents?

Once you have mapped your stakeholders on a matrix, you can start to identify who are your potential allies and opponents. Allies are those who share your vision, objectives, and values, and can support you in achieving your goals. Opponents are those who oppose your vision, objectives, or values, and can hinder you in achieving your goals. Potential allies and opponents can be found in any of the four groups of stakeholders, depending on their interests and influence. Key players are likely to be your most important allies or opponents, as they have both high interest and high influence. Supporters are likely to be your allies, as they have high interest but low influence. Influencers are likely to be your opponents or neutral parties, as they have low interest but high influence. Bystanders are likely to be neutral or irrelevant, as they have low interest and low influence. You should build strong relationships with key players, engage supporters regularly, monitor influencers closely, and minimize interaction with bystanders. Additionally, try to align the interests of key players with yours, leverage the influence or resources of supporters, reduce the negative impact of influencers or increase their positive impact, and avoid wasting time and resources on bystanders unless they become more interested or influential.

4 How to deal with potential allies and opponents?

After identifying your potential allies and opponents, you should develop and implement a stakeholder engagement plan that outlines how you will communicate and interact with each group or individual. When engaging with allies, it is important to maintain and strengthen the relationship by providing regular updates, feedback, recognition, and support. Additionally, seek their input, advice, and collaboration, and involve them in decision-making and problem-solving. For opponents, manage and improve the relationship by listening to their concerns, addressing their issues, and finding common ground. It is also beneficial to understand their perspective, motives, and interests, as well as negotiate or compromise when possible. With neutral parties, monitor and influence the relationship by keeping them informed, satisfied, and engaged. Furthermore, try to persuade them to become allies or mitigate them from becoming opponents. Lastly, for irrelevant parties avoid or minimize the relationship by reducing communication and interaction. Additionally, attempt to prevent them from becoming interested or influential.

5 How to review and update your stakeholder mapping?

Stakeholder mapping is an ongoing process that requires regular review and update, as interests, influence, and attitudes can change over time due to internal or external factors. Therefore, you should revisit your stakeholder mapping periodically and adjust your stakeholder engagement plan accordingly. Signs that you need to review and update your stakeholder mapping include encountering new stakeholders, noticing changes in the level of interest or influence of some stakeholders, and experiencing shifts in the relationship or alignment of some stakeholders.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?