04 September 2019 Participatory planning requires the involvement of concerned stakeholders. This includes identifying public concerns and values and developing a broad consensus on planned initiatives. It is also about utilising the vast amount of information and knowledge that stakeholders hold to find workable, efficient and sustainable solutions
(CAP-NET 2008). The stakeholder analysis is the process of identifying and analysing stakeholders, and plan for their participation (RIETBERGEN-McCRACKEN et al. 1998). There are a great number of methodologies concerning stakeholder analysis with a wide range of complexity (see e.g. RIETBERGEN-McCRACKEN et al. 1998; NETSSAF 2008; CAP-NET 2005). Here, we present a four-step methodology, that can be done fully or shortened according to one’s needs: (1)
Stakeholder identification, (2) Stakeholders’ importance and influence (3) Stakeholder interests and (4)
Stakeholder strategy plan. After identification, the next step is about analysing how important it is that certain stakeholders are involved, and about the degree of influence and power a stakeholder has
to affect the outcome of an initiative. Advantages Provides an understanding how to associate with important and with sensitive stakeholders Hence, conflicts can be avoided Gives a planner a first overview about important stakeholder groups and possible problems one has to deal with Facilitates planning Disadvantages Is not representative and hence can lead to misinterpretations Be aware not only to consider
the stakeholders with a high degree of influence Is not meant to be a way of excluding stakeholders with less importance and influence In fact, it just gives one an image how to cope with different stakeholders If only done with the matrix, important information which can be valuable later on can be forgotten IntroductionFactsheet Block Body Stakeholders must play a central role in setting up priorities and objectives of water and sanitation initiatives in order to ensure relevance and appropriateness. It is important that all stakeholders are involved in the development of projects and not just direct beneficiaries of an initiative. When planning a strategy (see this category on Decision Making section) on which stakeholders to involve into the decision making (see PPT) process and how to communicate, cooperate and associate with them, it is worthwhile to find out more about the stakeholder characteristics. This will later on help to attribute roles and responsibilities to different stakeholders so that the implementation is successful and so that no conflicts arise between the stakeholders. Firstly, the degree of importance of the stakeholders is analysed, i.e., the degree how much somebody is concerned by an initiative. Importance means the priority given to satisfying stakeholders’ needs and interests from being involved in the design of the project and in the project itself in order for it to be successful. In other words, this is about how important or essential is it that certain stakeholders are involved (WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTER 2003). Secondly, influence and power of a stakeholder can affect the success or failure of an initiative. Power refers to the ability of the stakeholder to affect the implementation of a project due to his or her strength or force (WINDBERG 2009). Power can be important in terms of supporting as well as in terms of constraining an initiative. For the success of an initiative, it is very important know whether (and how) a stakeholder can take action, how he/she can be involved, and how much capacity he/she has to contribute. Concerning failures, it is important know the possible (negative) influence a stakeholder has to constrain or even stop an initiative. Subscribe here to the new Sanitation and Water Entrepreneurship Pact (SWEP) newsletter. SWEP is a network of organizations joining hands to help entrepreneurs design and develop lasting water and sanitation businesses. The ‘Importance and Influence Matrix’Factsheet Block Body There are different ways answer these questions (depending on the timeframe, e.g.). A short and effective way to categorise stakeholders for their importance and influence is the development of a “stakeholder importance and influence matrix”. How to Develop the MatrixFactsheet Block Body Draw the matrix below on a large flipchart. Write the name of each stakeholder included in the list made already on a separate card or ‘Post-it’ and stick the cards on the matrix according to the participants’ view of each stakeholder’s relative importance and influence (don’t use glue, or it will be difficult to move them around). Don’t worry about locating them exactly, since this is by nature a rather subjective exercise. Once all the cards are in place, stand back and have a look. If necessary, move some of the cards around until a consensus is reached. Then read the comments below about the relevance of each box.  Analysis of the Importance-Influence Matrix and its Application:Factsheet Block Body BOX A: This group will require special initiatives to protect their interests. BOX B: A good working relationship must be created with this group. BOX C: This group may be a source of risk, and will need careful monitoring and management. BOX D: This group may have some limited involvement in evaluation but are, relatively, of low priority. (WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTER 2003) Sometimes, it is worth also to further think about the reasons why stakeholders are important and have a certain influence and to keep this recorded. This helps planners not to forget important aspects of different stakeholders and to get a deeper insight of different stakeholder perspectives to better understand them. In particular in SSWM, where stakeholder interests and potential conflicts are often complex and many-sided, it can be worthwhile to take this time to understand stakeholder relations and importance and hence to avoid conflicts and implementation failures. Stakeholder TableFactsheet Block Body A simple possibility to develop qualitative information about stakeholder’s importance and influence is to list the main aspects why they are important and can influence the initiative and to add this information to the previously developed stakeholders list. Stakeholder Analysis StepsApplicability Knowing about the importance and influence of stakeholders is essential for the formulation of the stakeholder strategy plan (see next step) as well as for the future participatory decision-making. It contributes to gain an understanding how to associate with stakeholders in a certain way and how to avoid conflicts. Awareness Raising Material Alternative Versions toWhat is the project manager's role with stakeholders of the project?Your job as a project manager is to keep all stakeholders informed, involved, and on-board throughout the project's progression. Stakeholder happiness is one of the key metrics of a successful project, so making sure you get the right buy-in and tick the right boxes — at the right times — is crucial.
What is the correct order of tasks in a stakeholders analysis?Whatever approach is used, there are three essential steps in stakeholder analysis: 1) Identifying the key stakeholders and their interests (positive or negative) in the project; 2) Assessing the influence of, importance of, and level of impact upon each stakeholder; and 3) Identifying how best to engage stakeholders.
What does stakeholders mean in project management?A formal definition of a stakeholder is: “individuals and organizations who are actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be positively or negatively affected as a result of project execution or successful project completion” (Project Management Institute (PMI®), 1996).
Does the project manager manage the stakeholders?Any project is a success if it meets its objectives and fulfills (or ideally, exceeds) the expectations of its project stakeholders. It is the project manager's responsibility to manage — and even influence — key stakeholders' expectations as well as requirements.
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