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Introduction
A stakeholder map is a visual tool that identifies and prioritises the importance of all stakeholders. Stakeholder mapping is a technique used to identify and analyse the different individuals, groups, or organizations that have an interest or stake in a particular project, organization, or issue. It helps in understanding the various stakeholders involved and their level of influence, importance, and potential impact on the project or decision-making process.
Stakeholder Map
The stakeholder map is a technique also none as persona map or user journey map.
Description
What is this tool about
Stakeholder mapping is a method used to identify and visualize the different people or groups who are affected by or have an interest in a project or issue. Think of stakeholders as individuals, organizations, or communities who can influence or are influenced by decisions or actions related to a specific topic.
It is a visual tool that can assist participant teams in understanding stakeholders and their interdependence. Stakeholder mapping is frequently carried out at the start of a design thinking process to ensure that the project team understands the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders.
For which purposes is it used
- Stakeholder maps aid in identifying, analysing, and prioritising stakeholders and understanding their interests, needs, and influence.
- Stakeholder maps are helpful because they provide a framework for comprehending and managing stakeholders throughout a project or initiative. Project teams can develop more effective solutions that are more likely to be accepted by stakeholders by identifying all stakeholders, analysing their interests and influence, and prioritising them. Stakeholder maps can also be used to identify potential conflicts and areas of collaboration, as well as to inform communication and engagement strategies.
Limitations
Time-consuming: you can reduce the time by asking students to gather relevant data.
How to implement these technique/tools
Make sure the students have any material to take notes. For online, any document-sharing application is good. For example, google docs, miro or mural. The technique involves the following steps:
- dentification: Begin by identifying the key stakeholders related to the project or issue. These can be individuals, such as community members, customers, employees, or specific groups like government agencies, non-profit organizations, or local businesses. It's important to consider both direct and indirect stakeholders who may have an impact or be impacted by the project.
- Analysis: Once stakeholders are identified, analyse their level of interest, influence, and potential impact. Determine how much they care about the project and how much power or authority they must influence its outcome. This analysis helps prioritize stakeholders based on their importance and potential involvement.
- Mapping: Create a visual representation, such as a diagram or chart, to map out the stakeholders. This can be done using a simple table, a Venn diagram, or a more complex matrix. Assign stakeholders to different categories based on their level of interest and influence. This visual representation helps to understand the relationships, connections, and potential conflicts between stakeholders.
- Engagement: After mapping the stakeholders, consider how to effectively engage and communicate with them. Develop strategies to involve and seek input from key stakeholders, as their perspectives and feedback can contribute to better decision-making and project outcomes.
Preparation, before the session:
- Create a lesson plan that introduces students to stakeholder mapping and walks them through creating their maps. Consider incorporating hands-on activities and group projects to encourage students to engage with the material.
- Gather resources for teaching stakeholder mappings, such as worksheets, diagrams, and case studies. Ensure these resources are appropriate for your student's age and skill level.
- Make sure that the content is appropriate for secondary school students. Simplify technical language, use examples from their lives, and provide ample opportunities for group work and discussion.
- Before presenting the material to your students, practise teaching it to a group of colleagues or friends. This will assist you in refining your approach and identifying any areas that require improvement.
During the session:
- Start by explaining to the students the concept of stakeholder mapping. Explain that stakeholders are groups or individuals impacted by a project or decision and that stakeholder mapping assists in identifying and comprehending these groups.
- Divide the class into groups and assign each group a design challenge. Request that each team designate a team leader to oversee the process.
- Provide post-it notes and markers to each team (mural board for online)to brainstorm stakeholders. Request that team members brainstorm stakeholders they believe are involved in the project and write one stakeholder per post-it note. Encourage students to use simple language and include only what other team members need to understand.
- Instruct teams to make a stakeholder map by placing post-it notes on a large piece of paper or a whiteboard. Begin with the centre's most important stakeholder (usually the user) and move outward to the other stakeholders. Explain why each stakeholder is placed where they are on the map.
- Once all team members have completed the stakeholder map, ask them to group post-it notes for the same stakeholders and remove duplicates.
- As the map evolves, ask students to write key insights and notes about the stakeholders on post-it notes and place them in a separate map area for later reference.
- The following are some good questions to ask your stakeholders to help you improve and make sense of the map even more.
- Will the outcome of our project affect you financially or emotionally, and if so, how?
- What is the primary reason for your interest in this project?
- What information can I give you?
- What is the best way to get in touch with you?
- How do you feel about the project right now?
- Who do you believe influences you and your opinions and whom do you believe influences you?
Follow-up after the session:
- Encourage teams to discuss and analyse the results once the stakeholder map is completed.
- Inquire whether the map reveals any common themes, conflicts, or opportunities for collaboration and work towards the next step of design thinking.
Examples and/or testimonials
Example of how it can be used in secondary school.
- Building stakeholder map: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkyVirNorAc
- What is a stakeholder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uZiGB8DeJg
- UX Design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KPhtmBQob0
Story Large sheet of paper and pens, Large square table or whiteboard, Using Legos or Playmobil figurines (not mandatory), you can assign a character to the individual actors.
For online: Laptop, Internet connection, notepad for notes, and Miro or Mural Tool.
Resources
Links:
Videos:
- How to build a stakeholder map: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkyVirNorAc
- What is a stakeholder map: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p68ZaDINJVk
Papers:
- Chasanidou, D., Gasparini, A. A., & Lee, E. (2015). Design thinking methods and tools for innovation. In Design, User Experience, and Usability: Design Discourse: 4th International Conference, DUXU 2015, Held as Part of HCI International 2015, Los Angeles, CA, USA, August 2–7, 2015, Proceedings, Part I (pp. 12-23). Springer International Publishing.
- Geissdoerfer, M., Bocken, N. M., & Hultink, E. J. (2016). Design thinking to enhance the sustainable business modelling process–A workshop based on a value mapping process. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 1218-1232.
Books:
- Lewrick, M., Link, P., & Leifer, L. (2020). The design thinking toolbox: A guide to mastering the most popular and valuable innovation methods. John Wiley & Sons.
- Stickdorn, M., & Schneider, J. (2012). This is service design thinking: Basics, tools, cases. John Wiley & Sons.
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