What is stakeholder mapping?

Stakeholder mapping is primarily defined as a visual representation of stakeholders' influence, information needs, and communication preferences within a project or organization. This technique enables organizations to identify and categorize stakeholders based on their level of interest, influence, and the type of communication required to effectively address their concerns and inputs.

By visualizing stakeholders, organizations can prioritize engagement strategies and allocate resources more efficiently. For example, high-interest, highly influential stakeholders may require regular updates and direct involvement in decision-making processes, while those with less influence or interest might need less frequent communication. This process is essential for successful project management and organizational change, as it ensures that the right individuals are informed and appropriately engaged at each stage of a project.

Other options, such as a list of all company employees or tools for employee performance reviews, relate to different aspects of management and human resources but do not capture the essence of stakeholder mapping, which is focused specifically on understanding and managing the relationships with various stakeholders in the context of projects and decision-making. Similarly, financial projections involve quantitative analysis and forecasting, which is unrelated to the qualitative assessments found in stakeholder mapping.