Stakeholder Mapping
Map power dynamics to design winning engagement strategies
Your Progress
Section 2 of 5The Invisible Architecture of Success
Every climate project exists in a web of relationships. Ignore this web, and even brilliant technical solutions fail.
The evidence: Projects with structured stakeholder engagement are 50% more likely to meet goals. Yet most teams skip this step, rushing to implementation. Don't make that mistake.
❌ Without Stakeholder Mapping
- • Surprise opposition derails project
- • Key influencers not engaged early
- • Community feels "done to" not "done with"
- • Misaligned expectations cause conflicts
- • Valuable local knowledge overlooked
✅ With Stakeholder Mapping
- • Build coalitions before opposition forms
- • Tailor communication to each group
- • Co-design creates ownership
- • Navigate politics strategically
- • Unlock local expertise and networks
🧭 Interactive: Power-Interest Matrix
Place each stakeholder based on their power (ability to block/advance your project) and interest (how much they care). Different quadrants require different engagement strategies.
🎯Drag Stakeholders onto the Matrix
Tip: Click stakeholders to place them on the matrix below
Place stakeholders on the matrix to see engagement strategies
🔍 How to Identify Stakeholders
Don't just list obvious groups. Use these prompts to uncover hidden stakeholders:
Authority Questions
- • Who has approval power?
- • Which agencies regulate this?
- • Who controls key resources?
- • Who can veto decisions?
Impact Questions
- • Who benefits directly?
- • Who might be negatively affected?
- • Whose behavior needs to change?
- • Who lives/works in the area?
Influence Questions
- • Who shapes public opinion?
- • Which groups can mobilize support?
- • Who has technical expertise?
- • Who connects to key networks?
Hidden Stakeholder Questions
- • Who currently provides this service?
- • Whose business model might be disrupted?
- • Which past projects faced opposition?
- • Who's absent from the table but should be here?
📚 Case Study: Solar Microgrid in Rural India
The Challenge
NGO planned to install solar microgrids in 20 villages. Initial stakeholder list had 8 groups. Comprehensive mapping revealed 23 stakeholders—including informal moneylenders who saw the project as a threat to their diesel generator rentals.
The Strategy
Instead of ignoring moneylenders (high power, initially low interest), the team:
- • Offered them training as solar technicians
- • Created financing partnerships for customers
- • Turned potential blockers into partners
The Result
95% adoption rate vs. 60% industry average. Moneylenders became the project's biggest advocates, using their trusted relationships to accelerate uptake. Total timeline: 18 months instead of projected 36.
📋 From Mapping to Action
A map is useless without a plan. For each stakeholder, document:
| Element | What to Capture | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Interests | What do they care about? | Job creation, cost savings, reputation |
| Concerns | What are they worried about? | Displacement, upfront costs, technology risk |
| Influence | How can they affect outcome? | Approval authority, budget control, community trust |
| Engagement | How/when to involve them? | Monthly meetings, quarterly reports, design workshops |
| Owner | Who manages relationship? | Project manager, community liaison, technical lead |
Pro Tip: Stakeholder maps are living documents. Review quarterly and after major milestones. Power and interest shift—yesterday's ally can become tomorrow's blocker.