What Tools and Techniques Can Be Used to Analyze Stakeholder Influence and Interest?

Power–Interest Grid

The Power–Interest Grid is one of the most commonly used tools for stakeholder analysis. It is a simple matrix that plots stakeholders according to two dimensions:

• Power – their ability to influence decisions, resources, or outcomes

• Interest – their level of involvement in or concern about the project

Stakeholders are positioned in one of four quadrants:

• High Power / High Interest – key players who require close attention, active involvement, and regular communication.

• High Power / Low Interest – stakeholders who must be kept satisfied, but not overwhelmed with details.

• Low Power / High Interest – stakeholders to keep informed, as they may be strong supporters even if they lack influence.

• Low Power / Low Interest – stakeholders who require only minimal monitoring or basic updates.

This technique helps teams prioritize engagement efforts and determine the most appropriate communication style for each stakeholder group.

Stakeholder Mapping

Stakeholder mapping is a broader, visual technique used to explore relationships and dynamics among stakeholders. It often takes the form of a diagram that places stakeholders in clusters based on their roles, level of support, or alliances.

By visualizing how stakeholders interact with each other, teams can:

• Identify natural champions or advocates

• Detect groups that may resist or challenge project objectives

• Understand possible conflicts of interest

• Plan engagement strategies that take these dynamics into account

Stakeholder mapping is especially useful in large or politically complex projects where informal influence can be as important as formal authority.

Salience Model

The Salience Model offers another useful way to prioritize stakeholders by examining three key attributes:

Stakeholders who possess all three attributes (power, legitimacy and urgency) are considered definitive stakeholders and are usually the highest priority for engagement. Others may only meet one or two criteria, in which case the project team may adopt a less intensive engagement strategy.

The Salience Model is helpful when the project involves a large number of stakeholders with diverse needs, because it forces the team to focus its efforts on those stakeholders whose voice is most critical to project success.