🎯 Stakeholder mapping: Who's involved, how it works and why it matters

Stakeholder mapping sounds technical, but it’s really just about knowing who’s connected to your project and how to keep them in the loop.

It’s best done before your project starts and updated as it evolves. Think of it as a living guide to help you plan, engage, communicate and avoid surprises along the way.

For example:

If you’re planning new infrastructure, talk early with nearby residents, councils and local businesses to understand local priorities, flag potential impacts and build early support.

If you’re updating internal systems, your staff and end users are key — their input helps you design something that actually works and gets used.

If you’re running a community program, involving partners and participants from the start ensures the outcomes meet real needs and feel genuinely shared.

Here’s how to get started:

1️. List everyone who’s affected or has an interest in your project. Think about who might see, hear or experience the project, who relies on the outcomes, who funds or approves it and who influences opinions or decisions.

2️. Group them by influence and interest. Influence means how much power they have to shape or stop the project, like decision-makers, regulators or senior leaders. Interest means how much they care or are affected, such as nearby residents, community groups or staff.

3️. Plan how and when you’ll engage with each group. High-influence or high-interest stakeholders might need regular updates or one-on-one meetings. Those with less involvement may only need key milestones or newsletters.

Remember: stakeholder mapping is also a form of risk management. By identifying potential issues and viewpoints early, you can plan and respond before they escalate into outrage or crisis communications.

Keep your stakeholder map up to date. As your project moves forward, new people will come in and priorities will change. Mapping helps you stay focused, communicate clearly and make decisions that reflect what matters most to the people involved.

Need help understanding your project stakeholders? Think pink and get in touch:

📞 02 4965 4317

👉 mara@maraconsulting.com.au