Module 2Stakeholder analysis

What’s in Module 2

Why do stakeholder analysis ?

Identifying the stakeholders

Assessing stakeholders importance and influence

Working session

Why do stakeholder analysis?

What are the project aims?

Why conducting SP – what are the objectives in informing/ involving people?

At what level will people be able to participate?

What contributions are expected from stakeholders?

First, define the background

Why do a stakeholder analysis?

Time to write down a few ideas…

• Identify which individuals and organisations will be affected;

• Identify which will be able to influence the issues;

• Identify who will need their capacity built in order to participate;

• Identify stakeholder priorities;

• Identify information and expertise held by stakeholders;

• Detect possible risks and conflicts between stakeholder groups;

• Uncover positive relationships between stakeholder groups;

• Assess appropriate forms of participation for the different stakeholder groups;

• Find ways of harnessing the support of those in favour, while managing the risks posed by those against it;

• Identify ways to improve the initiative and reduce negative impacts on vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

Why stakeholder analysis

But who gets to choose who is a stakeholder and who not ?!

Stakeholder analysis should be done by a team, not an individual

Key to be clear about the issues at stake and problem boundaries

1. Identify the main purpose of the analysis

2. Identify the stakeholders

3. Assess stakeholder influence and importance

How to go about it?

Source: ELI

Identifying the stakeholders

Who are the stakeholders?

Write down key criteria you need to keep in mind when identifying stakeholders…

Those whose interests are affected by or potentially affected by the problems and solutions being addressed within the defined context;

Those whose activities affect or potentially affect the resources and institutions being addressed;

Those who influence management and implementation related to the issues at stake;

Those who possess information, expertise, or other relevant resources; and

Those who have an interest in the broader developments related to the issues at stake.

Stakeholders are...

Source: ELI

key individuals from the target populations

local leaders

non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

community-based organisations (CBOs)

government staff from various agencies

local administration

local consultants

local businesses

educational/research institutes

Examples

Compile existing information (e.g. other projects, socio-economic studies)

Use techniques such as interviews, focus groups, workshops and questionnaires

Cross check the list by asking key people to look critically at the initial list of stakeholders

Sources of information

• Social profiles or probes as a starting point.

• Brainstorming sessions, interviews with key informants or focus groups.

• Established lists and databases, held by consultancies, authorities or research institutions.

• Public announcements, advertisements and notices to encourage stakeholders to engage in the process (self identification).

• Network or chain referral systems according to which key stakeholders are asked to assist in identifying other stakeholders.

Means of identifying stakeholders

Source: DEAT

What do you need to know about them?

List key characteristics that are useful to know about the stakeholders. Remember the purpose of the analysis.

Basic stakeholder characteristics, such as social, cultural, religious, and group affiliation

Their priorities in relation to the issues at stake

The relative importance and power of stakeholder groups

Patterns of interaction and relationships among stakeholders and the actual and potential conflicts of interest

Stakeholder resources (e.g. financial resources, forms of expertise, local or indigenous knowledge, staff from NGOs who can assist in putting together workshops, or use of community time for monitoring and evaluation)

Knowledge levels about related topics, which will also assist in determining outreach and education needs

You may want to know...

Source: ELI

Stakeholder tables

Source: DFID

Source: ELI

Assessing stakeholder importance and influence

Are some stakeholders more important than others?

What determines the influence they have on the initiative?

List some factors that affect stakeholders’ influence and importance...

Influence

Power to control what decisions are made

Extent to which individuals, groups and institutions can persuade or coerce others into making decisions and taking certain actions

Importance

Refers to those stakeholders whose problems, needs and interests are a priority to the project in question

Assessing stakeholder influence and importance

Special efforts to meet needs and

ensure participation

Closely involved throughout the

project

Not closely involved; information sharing strategies aimed at

“general public”

Not target of project but may hinder it; kept informed and

views acknowledged

imp

ortan

ce

influenceSource: FAO

Low

High

High

Stakeholder matrix

Source: ELI

Stakeholder issue diagram

Source: ELI

The true benefits of

participation can only be

achieved when projects are as

inclusive of diverse interests as

possible; and this requires a

commitment of sufficient time

and resources …

Source: ELI

1. Define SP objectives

2. Draw up a basic stakeholder table

• Who are stakeholders?

• What is their interest in the process?

• What resources can they bring to the process?

3. Draw up importance/influence matrix

4. Are there any broad groups of interest?

5. Are there any possible conflicts of interest?

6. Any risks to consider?

7. What assumptions have we made? What information is missing?

Scenario: working session