Stakeholder Analysis Template
A complete stakeholder analysis template with three integrated tools: a stakeholder register table (name, role, interest, influence, concerns, communication preferences), a power/interest grid for visual prioritization, and an engagement strategy matrix mapping current and desired engagement levels with specific actions to close the gap. Includes instructions for facilitating a stakeholder identification workshop.
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What This Includes
- Stakeholder register table with columns for name, role/title, organization, interest in project (positive, neutral, negative), level of influence (high, medium, low), key concerns, preferred communication channel, and relationship owner
- Power/interest grid template with quadrant labels and recommended engagement approach for each: Manage Closely (high power, high interest), Keep Satisfied (high power, low interest), Keep Informed (low power, high interest), Monitor (low power, low interest)
- Engagement strategy matrix with columns for stakeholder name, current engagement level (unaware, resistant, neutral, supportive, leading), desired engagement level, gap, and specific actions to move from current to desired
- Workshop facilitation guide with a 60 minute agenda for conducting stakeholder identification with the project team
- Stakeholder influence map template for charting relationships and coalitions between stakeholders
- Review schedule defining when the analysis should be refreshed (major milestones, organizational changes, quarterly for long projects)
What This Template Covers
This stakeholder analysis template provides the three tools every project manager needs to map and manage stakeholder relationships: a stakeholder register for capturing details, a power/interest grid for prioritization, and an engagement strategy matrix for planning actions. Together they take stakeholder management from guesswork to a structured, repeatable process.
The template works for projects of any size. A small project might list 5 to 8 stakeholders and spend 30 minutes on the analysis. A large organizational change initiative might list 30 or more stakeholders, require a full workshop, and revisit the analysis quarterly.
Common Questions About Stakeholder Analysis Template
How many stakeholders should be in the analysis?
Most projects have 8 to 20 stakeholders. List everyone during identification, but focus detailed engagement planning on the top 5 to 10 who have the highest combined power and interest. The remaining stakeholders are managed through standard communication channels rather than individual strategies.
How do I assess a stakeholder's power and interest?
Power is the ability to influence project decisions, resources, or outcomes. Look at formal authority (can they approve or veto?), budget control, and organizational influence. Interest is the degree to which the project affects them. Look at whether their work, budget, team, or metrics are directly impacted by the project's outcome.
Should stakeholder analysis be shared with the stakeholders themselves?
The register and engagement strategies are typically internal working documents. Sharing them can create political complications, especially when stakeholders are categorized as resistant. The power/interest grid and engagement actions inform how you interact with stakeholders, but the analysis itself stays within the project team.