A stakeholders map is used to document key stakeholders. The map is a brief summary of the relationships and can therefore be used as reference for the design team.
1. Arrange a room where you can focus and work for a couple of hours.
2. Make a list of members of the stakeholder community and categorize them.
3. Based on the current knowledge, prioritize the stakeholders. Define key stakeholders in different aspects of the project for example, requirements, cost, aesthetics, etc.
4. Summarize your findings in a finished version of the map.
5. Make the map visible to the design team.
WHEN
At the beginning of a project to understand relationships between the different parties.
WHY
Understanding relationships is an important aspect of (service) design.
NOTE!
Stakeholders aren’t only employees or companies, a family member can also be a stakeholder.
OUTPUT
A summarized map of all the stakeholders and their relationship with each other.
Next
Use the map to validate decisions that might affect different stakeholders.
Reference
MITCHELL, Ronald K.; AGLE, Bradley R.; WOOD, Donna J. Toward a theory of stakeholder identification and salience: Defining the principle of who and what really counts. Academy of management review, 1997, 22.4: 853-886./ HANINGTON, Bruce; MARTIN, Bella. Universal methods of design: 100 ways to research complex problems, develop innovative ideas, and design effective solutions. Rockport Publishers, 2012./