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Dr Gerald Khoury

Power / Interest Grid

High Power
Tick Keep Satisfied
Tick Manage Closely
LOW Power
Tick Monitor with Minimum Efforts
Tick Keep Informed
LOW Interest High Interest

Use this model when:

The Power/Interest Grid is a stakeholder management tool used to analyze stakeholders based on their level of power and their level of interest in a project or initiative. This model helps change managers determine the appropriate strategy for engaging with each stakeholder group. Here's how it works:

  1. Power: This refers to the ability of a stakeholder or stakeholder group to influence the project or initiative. Power can come from various sources such as authority, control over resources, expertise, or the ability to mobilize support.
  2. Interest: Interest represents the extent to which a stakeholder is affected by or concerned about the project or initiative. Stakeholders with high interest are likely to be more actively engaged and may have stronger opinions about the project's outcomes.

Based on these two dimensions, stakeholders are typically categorized into four quadrants:

  • High Power, High Interest: These stakeholders are typically key players or major decision-makers. They have a significant impact on the project and are highly interested in its outcomes. It's essential to fully engage and manage relationships with these stakeholders as they can greatly influence the project's success.
  • High Power, Low Interest: These stakeholders may have significant power to affect the project, but they are not actively interested or involved. They may include regulatory bodies, senior management, or other groups with oversight responsibilities. While they may not be directly engaged in day-to-day activities, it's important to keep them informed and address any concerns they may have.
  • Low Power, High Interest: These stakeholders have a strong interest in the project but limited power to influence it directly. They may include community groups, special interest groups, or individual stakeholders who are directly affected by the project's outcomes. While they may not have the authority to make decisions, their support or opposition can still impact the project's success. Engaging and communicating with these stakeholders can help build support and minimize resistance.
  • Low Power, Low Interest: These stakeholders have little influence on the project, and they are not particularly interested or affected by its outcomes. They may include peripheral stakeholders or individuals/groups who are not directly impacted. While it's important to be aware of these stakeholders, they typically require minimal engagement.

Once stakeholders are mapped onto the grid, you can develop tailored strategies for managing relationships with each group. This may involve different communication approaches, levels of engagement, or strategies for addressing concerns and obtaining support. Regularly reviewing and updating the power/interest grid throughout the project lifecycle can help ensure that stakeholder management strategies remain effective and responsive to evolving dynamics.