Stakeholder Mapping template

A way to diagram the people who have a stake in a given system

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Stakeholder Mapping

Stakeholder Mapping template FAQs

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Use this template to gain a better understanding of each stakeholder’s role in a given system, and get alignment on areas of expertise, responsibilities, and influence.

By mapping out how each stakeholder relates to a given system, you can improve collaboration through delineating clear roles and spheres of influence, as well as subject matter expertise. Through this exercise, you can also discover areas of overlap or disconnects that can be addressed as needed.

The stakeholder map template helps you:

Identify and understand each stakeholder’s role
Identify groups of similar or related stakeholders
Map relationships between groups of stakeholders, as well as individual stakeholders within those groups

How to use the stakeholder map template

To get the most from the Mural stakeholder map template, follow the below steps.

Step 1: Define the core topic or project

This will form the basis of your analysis and allow your team to assign roles and levels of influence, as all the stakeholders will relate in some way to the central project.

Step 2: Brainstorm a broad list of stakeholders

Bring your team together — in real time or asynchronously — to create an exhaustive list of stakeholders related to your central project.

Step 3: Group critical stakeholders based on similarities

Once you have identified all your stakeholders, have your team select the most critical stakeholders, add a ‘quote’ that helps define their roles within the project, and group them according to their similarities.

Step 4: Map relationships between stakeholders and groups

Next, look for relationships between groups, as well as cross-functional connections between individual stakeholders across groups. Map and label those connections with descriptions.

Tips for running a stakeholder map template workshop

To run a successful stakeholder map template session, you should:

Ensure that every team member has edit access and a clear understanding of the central topic or project before you begin brainstorming — this will save time and make your session more productive
Use color coding or tags for sticky notes to help group stakeholders according to their relationships to the project and one another, and connectors to visualize those relationships across groups
Continuously update your stakeholder map as the project and cross-functional collaboration evolve over time

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Stakeholder Mapping template FAQs

What is the purpose of stakeholder mapping?

The purpose of stakeholder mapping is to identify and understand the various individuals, groups, or organizations that are affected by or have an interest in a particular project or initiative. Stakeholder mapping helps to identify key stakeholders and their relationships to one another, and is often used in the early stages of a project to inform stakeholder engagement and decision-making.

By creating a stakeholder map, project teams can gain a better understanding of the interests, needs, and priorities of different stakeholders, and develop strategies for engaging with them effectively throughout the project lifecycle. Ultimately, stakeholder mapping helps to ensure that projects are designed and implemented in a way that takes into account the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders, and that stakeholders are kept informed and engaged throughout the process.

What are the 4 steps of stakeholder mapping?

Identify stakeholders: The first step in stakeholder mapping is to identify all the individuals, groups, or organizations that have an interest in or may be impacted by the project or initiative. This includes internal and external stakeholders, such as employees, customers, partners, investors, regulators, and community members.
Analyze stakeholders: Once stakeholders have been identified, the next step is to analyze their level of interest in and influence over the project or initiative. This can be done using various tools and techniques, such as stakeholder interviews, surveys, or social network analysis. The goal is to gain a better understanding of stakeholders' needs, expectations, and priorities, as well as their potential impact on the project.
Categorize stakeholders: Based on the analysis, stakeholders can be categorized into different groups, such as primary, secondary, or tertiary stakeholders, or high, medium, or low priority stakeholders. This helps to prioritize stakeholders and determine the appropriate level of engagement and communication for each group.
Develop a stakeholder engagement plan: Finally, based on the stakeholder analysis and categorization, a stakeholder engagement plan can be developed. This plan should outline how the project team will engage with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, including the communication channels, messages, and frequency of engagement. The goal is to ensure that stakeholders are informed, consulted, and involved in decision-making in a way that is appropriate to their level of interest and influence.