Stakeholder Mapping: A Step-by-Step Guide for Engagement Practitioners

Why Stakeholder Mapping Matters

Effective engagement starts with knowing who to involve. Stakeholder mapping helps you identify the individuals, groups, and organisations that have an interest in — or will be impacted by — your project.

Without clear stakeholder identification:

• Critical voices may be excluded

• Engagement efforts may miss key concerns

• Results may lack legitimacy or community support

A well-executed stakeholder map ensures your engagement process is inclusive, targeted, and aligned with both community needs and project goals.

What is a Stakeholder?

A stakeholder is anyone who:

• Is affected by the project

• Can influence the outcome

• Has a legitimate interest in the decision or its implementation

This includes:

• Local residents and property owners

• First Nations representatives

• Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities

• Youth, seniors, and people with accessibility needs

• Local businesses and industry groups

• Non-profits, community leaders, and service providers

• Government agencies and elected officials

• Internal teams and project partners

How to Map Stakeholders

Follow these steps to build a clear and useful stakeholder map:

1. Understand the Project Scope

Start with the basics:

• What is the project about?

• What decisions are being made?

• Who is likely to be affected?

This context will shape who you need to involve and how.

2. Brainstorm Potential Stakeholders

Bring your project team together to list:

• People who live near or use the area

• Groups with lived experience or relevant knowledge

• Organisations with a regulatory or funding role

• Those who may oppose or champion the project

Use internal records, previous consultations, and local knowledge to build this list.

3. Group and Categorise

Sort stakeholders into categories such as:

• Community members

• Government and agencies

• Business and industry

• Vulnerable or hard-to-reach groups

• Internal stakeholders

This will help you tailor your engagement methods later.

4. Assess Influence and Impact

Use a simple influence–impact matrix to prioritise your approach:

This framework helps ensure that those most affected by the project have the greatest opportunity to participate meaningfully.

Consider Equity and Inclusion

Good stakeholder mapping includes proactive consideration of:

• Culturally appropriate engagement

• Language and literacy needs

• Accessibility (physical and digital)

• Trust-building with historically excluded groups

It’s not just about who is easiest to reach — it’s about who needs to be reached.

Tips for Stakeholder Engagement Success

• Start early — stakeholder mapping should be part of project planning

• Keep it iterative — update your map as new people or issues emerge

• Document everything — record names, contact points, influence level, and engagement history

• Involve your team — collaborative mapping reduces blind spots

What’s Next

Once you’ve mapped your stakeholders, the next step is selecting the right engagement methods based on their needs and your objectives.

Read the next guide: Choosing the Right Engagement Methods
Or return to the full guide: How to Write a Community Engagement Plan