Stakeholder Mapping
What is it?
A stakeholder map is a tool that helps to identify and categorise any stakeholders that will be impacted by your proposed changes.
Why use it?
Stakeholder maps are helpful to
Stakeholder maps are helpful to:
Encourage a holistic understanding of the groups who will be impacted by your proposed changes or who may have an impact on your proposed changes
Identify groups that could pose as barriers to your proposed changes
Categorise effective and relevant information to communicate with different stakeholders
Minimise opposition to your changes and maximise the likelihood of success
Understand where there may be available resources or where there may be constraints within the improvement work
Build a communication plan for a project as it helps to understand how best to vary communication between stakeholders
How to use it?
Identify your area of focus: It is important to be clear on what your focus is in your improvement project. Small shifts can fundamentally change who your stakeholders are. If you are not sure or have not yet narrowed down your area of focus, it may be helpful to look broadly and holistically at your system.
Identify your stakeholders: In a group, brainstorm groups of people who can influence or will be impacted by your proposed changes. Consider people directly impacted (e.g. patients, staff), groups within the community and organisation (e.g. third sector support group, NHS Lothian information governance), other services (e.g. secondary care teams). A framework helpful for identifying stakeholders can be found here.
Categorise your stakeholders: Groups are categorised based on the degree of influence the stakeholder has and the degree to which the changes will impact the stakeholder. This will help you to understand how to best work with your stakeholders to maximise the chances for success.
Prioritise your stakeholders: Use the matrix to place stakeholders depending on their power/impact.
You can also consider mapping a ‘readiness for change’ matrix. This is where you analyse your stakeholder’s readiness for change to identify stakeholders who may need support before a change is introduced. See here for more information.
It may be that analysis and categorisation occurs periodically throughout your changes, particularly with more complex projects and changes.
More information
Quality Improvement Zone NES – click for templates.
NHS Improvement - for a guide for how to produce a stakeholder map