Every improvement changes someone’s work, and change creates resistance. The stakeholderAny individual, group or organization that can affect or be affected by a project's activities or outcomes. Click term for full definition matrix shows who can make or break your projectA unique, temporary endeavor with a defined goal that is important, urgent or complex enough to need its own organization outside the normal line organization. Click term for full definition, so you know where to invest your time. Watch the short video, then work with the toolkit PDF: it explains the method, shows a worked example and gives you a blank template to fill in.
Tool video
The short tool video will appear here.
Stakeholder Matrix in short
- List your stakeholders. Use brainstorming, the org chart, your SIPOCAn acronym for Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers. SIPOC is a high-level visual tool for understanding and scoping a process. Click term for full definition and interviews.
- Rate power and interest. Power: high, moderate or low. Interest: unaware, against, neutral, supporter or partner.
- Place them on the grid. Each stakeholder lands in one of the four quadrants.
- Plan communication. Decide what each stakeholder needs to know, when and how.
- Update regularly. Power, interest and attitude change during the project.
Key points
- Stakeholders can make or break your project.
- Place them by power and interest.
- Plan communication for each quadrant.
- Update the matrix as the project moves on.