What this publication covers
Presents a six-step stakeholder power analysis: define the purpose, identify actors, investigate interests and circumstances, map interactions, assess power and roles, and use the findings to move forward. It cautions that the tool can support marginalized groups but can also be used manipulatively.
How this reference can help
Use it to turn knowledge about communication and facilitation in change processes into a concrete activity or decision.
Curated by Ricardo Martins
View the original abstract 🇺🇸 🇬🇧
Stakeholders are the people who matter to a system. Stakeholder power analysis is a tool which helps understanding of how people affect policies and institutions, and how policies and institutions affect people. It is particularly useful in identifying the winners and losers and in highlighting the challenges that need to be faced to change behaviour, develop capabilities and tackle inequalities. There are various approaches to stakeholder power analysis. A six-step process seems to work well: 1. Develop purpose and procedures of analysis and initial understanding of the system 2. Identify key stakeholders 3. Investigate stakeholders’ interest s, characteristics and circumstances 4. Identify patterns and contexts of interaction between stakeholders 5. Assess stakeholders’ power and potential roles 6. Assess options and use the findings to make progress Like other tools, the usefulness and strength of stakeholder power analysis depends on the way it is used. It can be carried out by individual analysts, multi-stakeholder processes, or some intermediate between these two ends of the spectrum. Stakeholder power analysis can be used progressively to empower important but marginalised groups, and to improve policies and institutions. But it should be recognised that the techniques can also be used more cynically by some - to work out who should be manipulated, undermined or disposed of. Progressive users should be aware that the cynics may be ahead of the game, and encourage all involved to be clear about their purpose, intentions and desired outcomes. What is stakeholder power analysis? People in all sorts of situations assess the positions of others on a given issue, to enable them to gauge the level of support or opposition from others, and predict how they will behave...