Pill 038: Stakeholder Influence Mapping

Stakeholder influence mapping isn’t just about charting relationships—it’s about unlocking hidden power dynamics. By visualizing stakeholder positions within a pyramid, we can reveal surprising insights that traditional matrices miss [1].

Try Reverse influence mapping. Instead of focusing on who influences the project, map out who the project influences. This shift in perspective can uncover unexpected allies and potential roadblocks [2].

To apply this:

1. Create a pyramid with the project at the base

2. Place stakeholders higher up based on how much the project impacts them

3. Identify stakeholders at the top who are highly impacted but may have been overlooked

A government agency using this approach discovered that local small businesses, initially considered low-priority, were actually key to community buy-in for a major infrastructure project. Engaging them early led to a 30% reduction in project delays [3].

What hidden influencers might you uncover by flipping your stakeholder map upside down?

References_

[1]: https://www.smaply.com/blog/stakeholder-mapping-techniques

[2]: https://www.boreal-is.com/stakeholder-management-ultimate-guide/

[3]: https://www.quorum.us/blog/how-to-map-stakeholders-five-techniques/

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