How does Stakeholder Analysis work?
The first step in a stakeholder analysis is to clarify the research or policy change objective being discussed, and to outline the consequences that will flow from the policy reform. The second step is to identify all the stakeholders or interest groups associated with this objective, project, problem or issue. This can be done by brainstorming in groups or talking to individuals who are close to the issue at hand. Stakeholders can be organisations, groups, departments, structures, networks or individuals. A third step is to classify the various stakeholders in terms of their power in relation to the issue, and in terms of their interest in relation to the issue. ‘Interest’ measures to what degree they are likely to be affected by the research project or policy change, and what degree of interest or concern they have in or about it. ‘Power’ measures the influence they have over the project or policy, and to what degree they can help achieve, or block, the desired change. Stakeholders w
