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4.1a Stakeholder Mapping
Identifying who your stakeholders are is the first step, but mapping them tells you where to spend your limited energy and political capital. Effective leaders use these models to prioritize their attention.
🗺️ The Power/Interest Grid
This is the most critical tool for the PMP exam. It helps you categorize stakeholders and determine the correct "strategy of service."
Manage Closely
High Power / High Interest
Your primary partners. Require high-touch, frequent, and proactive engagement.
Keep Satisfied
High Power / Low Interest
Keep them happy to prevent them from becoming a blocker or using their power negatively.
Keep Informed
Low Power / High Interest
Harness their enthusiasm; they are your "Advocates." Keep them in the loop on progress.
Monitor
Low Power / Low Interest
Requires the least effort. Watch for shifts in power or interest over time.
🎯 The Salience Model
For complex projects with large ecosystems, simple grids aren't enough. The Salience Model analyzes three overlapping attributes:
- Power: Their level of formal or informal authority.
- Legitimacy: Their legal or moral right to influence the outcome.
- Urgency: How quickly they require your attention.
💡 2026 Shift: The Community Stakeholder
In 2026, Legitimacy and Urgency are rising in importance. A community group may have low formal power but high legitimacy regarding environmental impact. Ignoring them is a major strategic risk.
🧊 The Stakeholder Cube
The Cube adds a critical third dimension: Attitude.
- The Supporter: Empower them to champion the project.
- The Neutral: Move them toward support by showing project value.
- The Resistant: Listen to their concerns to mitigate potential sabotage.
📝 Exam Insight: If a high-power stakeholder is unhappy, you likely failed to Keep them Satisfied. The first step is to analyze their needs and update the Stakeholder Register.