Stakeholder Engagement Assessment Matrix

Definition

The Stakeholder Engagement Assessment Matrix maps current vs. desired engagement levels for each stakeholder. Engagement levels: Unaware (doesn’t know about project), Resistant (aware but opposed), Neutral (aware but neither supportive nor resistant), Supportive (aware and supportive), Leading (actively engaged and promoting the project). The matrix identifies engagement gaps and informs the stakeholder engagement strategy.

Related concepts

• Stakeholders Domain
• Build an Empowered Culture
• Planning
• Monitoring and Controlling

Exam angle

• Current vs. desired: the matrix has two marks per stakeholder — where they are now (C) and where you need them to be (D); gap = engagement action needed
• Leading is not always the target: not every stakeholder needs to reach “Leading” — appropriate engagement level depends on the stakeholder’s role and influence; forcing stakeholders to be more engaged than necessary wastes resources
• Living document: updated throughout the project as engagement levels change; used in monitoring to detect when previously supportive stakeholders become resistant

My notes