Key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n- Stakeholder mapping helps project teams identify who is involved in a project, how much influence they have, and how they should be engaged<\/li>\n
- Common stakeholder mapping techniques include the power-interest grid, network diagrams, sociograms, and force field analysis<\/li>\n
- A stakeholder map makes communication easier by showing which stakeholders need frequent updates, which need consultation, and which only need high-level visibility<\/li>\n
- The best stakeholder maps are updated throughout the project, not created once and forgotten<\/li>\n
- monday.com\u2019s AI Work Platform helps teams manage stakeholder registers, dashboards, communication preferences, automations, and project updates in one connected workspace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What is a stakeholder map?<\/h2>\n
Stakeholder mapping is the process of creating a visual representation of all the stakeholders involved in a project. It maps the roles and relationships among stakeholders to explain each person\u2019s influence and interests in your project.<\/p>\n
Stakeholder mapping is an essential part of stakeholder analysis<\/a>, a pre-project process that collects and evaluates stakeholder information to understand each person\u2019s role, influence, and impact. One stakeholder may only be involved in a specific phase of the project, such as a finance lead reviewing the budget. Another stakeholder, such as a project manager or executive sponsor, may be involved throughout the entire project lifecycle.<\/p>\nThe importance of creating a stakeholder map<\/h3>\n
Stakeholder maps are useful for projects of any size, but they become especially important in large-scale projects where many people influence the outcome. Stakeholder mapping allows you to:<\/p>\n
\n- Visualize stakeholder relationships<\/strong>: You\u2019ll untangle the complex web of stakeholder interactions and dependencies and present them in a single, digestible image<\/li>\n
- Prioritize specific stakeholder needs<\/strong>: You\u2019ll identify which stakeholders hold the most sway over the project, so you can cater to their requirements<\/li>\n
- Support strategic planning<\/strong>: You can anticipate risks, blockers, and opportunities created by different stakeholder dynamics<\/li>\n
- Enhance communication<\/strong>: You\u2019ll improve communication strategies by understanding the preferences and expectations of different stakeholder groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to identify your stakeholders<\/h3>\n
A stakeholder is anyone with a vested interest in the success of your project. To identify those relevant to your project, list people with something to gain or lose from its outcome, who may include:<\/p>\n
\n- C-suite executives<\/strong> such as your Chief Technology Officer (CTO), who will be interested in new technology investments, or your Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), who will be concerned about marketing campaigns, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Project managers and team members<\/strong> focused on hitting your project KPIs<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Investors<\/strong> who have sunk capital into your company and expect regular updates on how their money is being used.<\/li>\n
- Business analysts <\/strong>who predict and report market needs, customer acquisition, and retention plans.<\/li>\n
- VIP customers<\/strong> as a valuable source of insights about a product or service you’re updating or replacing, and care about the project result.<\/li>\n
- Vendors, business partners, and third-party developers<\/strong> who are interested in the project deliverables at each milestone.<\/li>\n
- Internal product or service users<\/strong> who may be involved in your project’s testing or implementation phases. For example, if you’re developing or switching CRM software<\/a> for your sales team.<\/li>\n
- Regulators<\/strong> who may need progress updates to ensure the project remains legally compliant.<\/li>\n
- Community stakeholders<\/strong> such as local residents or environmental groups who are concerned about implications for local resources.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What are popular stakeholder mapping techniques?<\/h2>\n
There are several ways to map stakeholders, depending on what you need to understand: influence, interest, relationships, dependencies, or support for a specific decision. Here are four common stakeholder mapping techniques:<\/p>\n
Power interest grid<\/h3>\n
The power-interest grid, also known as a stakeholder matrix, compares each stakeholder\u2019s influence over the project with their level of interest. Using a 2×2 grid with power on one axis and interest on the other, you can group stakeholders based on how closely they need to be managed, updated, or consulted. Here’s how to communicate and engage with stakeholders in each quadrant:<\/p>\n
\n- High power, high interest: Manage these stakeholders closely with regular updates, meetings, and decision points<\/li>\n
- Low power, low interest: Monitor these stakeholders and share only the most important updates<\/li>\n
- High power, low interest: Keep these stakeholders satisfied with concise reports and updates when their input is needed<\/li>\n
- Low power, high interest: Keep these stakeholders informed and invite feedback on relevant parts of the project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Mendelows-power-interest-matrix-during-stadium-operations.png\")
<\/p>\n
(Image source<\/a>)<\/p>\nNetwork diagram<\/h3>\n
A network diagram is useful for smaller projects with a few key stakeholders. The graphic displays the relationships among stakeholders and how they interact. It also reveals any dependencies between stakeholders, such as a vendor and an internal project team, which can be helpful when prioritizing their needs and managing potential conflicts.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Stakeholder-network-of-Case-Localizer.png\")
<\/p>\n
(Image source<\/a>)<\/p>\nSociogram<\/h3>\n
A sociogram shows the social relationships between individuals or groups of stakeholders. It can help project teams understand informal influence, communication patterns, and how information moves through a group. You can use different shapes or colors to represent stakeholder types, such as internal employees, external partners, customers, or leadership teams, then connect them with lines or arrows to show relationships and information flow.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Stakeholder-organi-sociogram-London-Borough-of-Redbridge-UK-from-Ochoa-et-al-2011.png\")
<\/p>\n
(Image source<\/a>)<\/p>\nForce field analysis<\/h3>\n
Force field analysis is a concept developed by Kurt Lewin<\/a> that helps teams understand which stakeholders support or oppose a particular change or decision. This technique is useful when a project depends on stakeholder buy-in. By mapping the forces pushing for and against the project, teams can plan how to reduce resistance, strengthen support, and move the project forward.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Force-field-analysis.png\")
<\/p>\n
(Image source<\/a>)<\/p>\nFour steps to create a stakeholder map<\/h2>\n
Although the end result of a stakeholder map can appear complex, the steps to create your own map are relatively straightforward:<\/p>\n
1. Define the purpose of the map<\/h3>\n
To choose the most appropriate type of stakeholder map, consider what you need to gain from this process. For example:<\/p>\n
\n- If you need to improve stakeholder visibility, choose a sociogram<\/li>\n
- If you need to get a stalled project back on track, force field analysis may be useful<\/li>\n
- If you need to understand stakeholder dependencies, use a network diagram<\/li>\n
- If you need to improve stakeholder engagement and communication, start with a power-interest grid<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Identify your stakeholders<\/h3>\n
Create a comprehensive list of everyone connected to or affected by your project, including people with different levels of power, interest, and involvement. This step may include reviewing project documents, interviewing team leads, sending surveys, or asking department heads who should be included.<\/p>\n
3. Determine each stakeholder\u2019s involvement and interest<\/h3>\n
Stakeholders participate in different ways, so it\u2019s important to document their level of involvement, influence, expectations, and communication needs. Investors may not be involved on a day-to-day basis, but will be hugely motivated to understand the project\u2019s progress and eventual return on investment. In contrast, internal team members have a more operational role and focus on achieving project KPIs.<\/p>\n
4. Plan how to engage your stakeholders<\/h3>\n
Based on your map, decide how you\u2019ll engage and communicate with each stakeholder throughout the project to keep everyone in the loop. Determine:<\/p>\n
\n- The information they need from you<\/li>\n
- How often you\u2019ll provide updates<\/li>\n
- The best channels to reach them (e.g., email, direct messaging, video calls, or face-to-face meetings).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Once the communication plan is clear, keep it connected to your project workflow so stakeholder updates happen consistently, rather than only when someone remembers to send them.<\/p>\n
Get started<\/a><\/p>\nHow monday.com\u2019s AI Work Platform supports stakeholder mapping<\/h2>\n
What is a stakeholder map?<\/h2>\n
Stakeholder mapping is the process of creating a visual representation of all the stakeholders involved in a project. It maps the roles and relationships among stakeholders to explain each person\u2019s influence and interests in your project.<\/p>\n
Stakeholder mapping is an essential part of stakeholder analysis<\/a>, a pre-project process that collects and evaluates stakeholder information to understand each person\u2019s role, influence, and impact. One stakeholder may only be involved in a specific phase of the project, such as a finance lead reviewing the budget. Another stakeholder, such as a project manager or executive sponsor, may be involved throughout the entire project lifecycle.<\/p>\n Stakeholder maps are useful for projects of any size, but they become especially important in large-scale projects where many people influence the outcome. Stakeholder mapping allows you to:<\/p>\n A stakeholder is anyone with a vested interest in the success of your project. To identify those relevant to your project, list people with something to gain or lose from its outcome, who may include:<\/p>\n There are several ways to map stakeholders, depending on what you need to understand: influence, interest, relationships, dependencies, or support for a specific decision. Here are four common stakeholder mapping techniques:<\/p>\n The power-interest grid, also known as a stakeholder matrix, compares each stakeholder\u2019s influence over the project with their level of interest. Using a 2×2 grid with power on one axis and interest on the other, you can group stakeholders based on how closely they need to be managed, updated, or consulted. Here’s how to communicate and engage with stakeholders in each quadrant:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n (Image source<\/a>)<\/p>\n A network diagram is useful for smaller projects with a few key stakeholders. The graphic displays the relationships among stakeholders and how they interact. It also reveals any dependencies between stakeholders, such as a vendor and an internal project team, which can be helpful when prioritizing their needs and managing potential conflicts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n (Image source<\/a>)<\/p>\n A sociogram shows the social relationships between individuals or groups of stakeholders. It can help project teams understand informal influence, communication patterns, and how information moves through a group. You can use different shapes or colors to represent stakeholder types, such as internal employees, external partners, customers, or leadership teams, then connect them with lines or arrows to show relationships and information flow.<\/p>\n (Image source<\/a>)<\/p>\n Force field analysis is a concept developed by Kurt Lewin<\/a> that helps teams understand which stakeholders support or oppose a particular change or decision. This technique is useful when a project depends on stakeholder buy-in. By mapping the forces pushing for and against the project, teams can plan how to reduce resistance, strengthen support, and move the project forward.<\/p>\n (Image source<\/a>)<\/p>\n Although the end result of a stakeholder map can appear complex, the steps to create your own map are relatively straightforward:<\/p>\n To choose the most appropriate type of stakeholder map, consider what you need to gain from this process. For example:<\/p>\n Create a comprehensive list of everyone connected to or affected by your project, including people with different levels of power, interest, and involvement. This step may include reviewing project documents, interviewing team leads, sending surveys, or asking department heads who should be included.<\/p>\n Stakeholders participate in different ways, so it\u2019s important to document their level of involvement, influence, expectations, and communication needs. Investors may not be involved on a day-to-day basis, but will be hugely motivated to understand the project\u2019s progress and eventual return on investment. In contrast, internal team members have a more operational role and focus on achieving project KPIs.<\/p>\n Based on your map, decide how you\u2019ll engage and communicate with each stakeholder throughout the project to keep everyone in the loop. Determine:<\/p>\n Once the communication plan is clear, keep it connected to your project workflow so stakeholder updates happen consistently, rather than only when someone remembers to send them.<\/p>\n Get started<\/a><\/p>\nThe importance of creating a stakeholder map<\/h3>\n
\n
How to identify your stakeholders<\/h3>\n
\n
What are popular stakeholder mapping techniques?<\/h2>\n
Power interest grid<\/h3>\n
\n
<\/p>\nNetwork diagram<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nSociogram<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nForce field analysis<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nFour steps to create a stakeholder map<\/h2>\n
1. Define the purpose of the map<\/h3>\n
\n
2. Identify your stakeholders<\/h3>\n
3. Determine each stakeholder\u2019s involvement and interest<\/h3>\n
4. Plan how to engage your stakeholders<\/h3>\n
\n
How monday.com\u2019s AI Work Platform supports stakeholder mapping<\/h2>\n
![\"Stakeholder](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Stakeholder_Register_Cards-1024x560.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Stakeholder_Register_Template-1024x560.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Stakeholder_Register_Dashboard-1024x560.jpg\")
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