ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
1
STAKEHOLDER POWER/INTEREST MATRIX - INSTRUCTIONS
2
3
This spreadsheet helps you analyze and categorize stakeholders based on their Power and Interest.
4
5
WHAT IS THE POWER/INTEREST MATRIX?
6
7
A 2x2 framework that categorizes stakeholders by:
8
• POWER (Influence): Can they significantly help or hinder the project?
9
• INTEREST (Engagement): How much do they care about this project?
10
11
THE FOUR QUADRANTS:
12
13
1. HIGH POWER + HIGH INTEREST → Manage Closely (RED)
14
 • These are your KEY PLAYERS
15
 • Frequent updates, involve in decisions, address concerns immediately
16
 • Example: Product Manager, Executive Sponsor
17
18
2. HIGH POWER + LOW INTEREST → Keep Satisfied (ORANGE)
19
 • These have INFLUENCE but delegate
20
 • Regular updates, don't overwhelm with details, focus on big picture
21
 • Example: CFO, Senior Leadership
22
23
3. LOW POWER + HIGH INTEREST → Keep Informed (GREEN)
24
 • These are ENGAGED but limited influence
25
 • Periodic updates, channels for feedback, respect their expertise
26
 • Example: Fraud Analysts (end users), Domain Experts
27
28
4. LOW POWER + LOW INTEREST → Monitor (GRAY)
29
 • These are PERIPHERAL
30
 • Minimal effort, keep aware of project, don't ignore completely
31
 • Example: Adjacent teams with tangential interest
32
33
HOW TO USE THIS SPREADSHEET:
34
35
STEP 1: Go to 'Stakeholder List' sheet
36
 • List all your stakeholders
37
 • Rate their POWER (1-5: 1=Low, 5=High)
38
 • Rate their INTEREST (1-5: 1=Low, 5=High)
39
 • Quadrant auto-assigns based on ratings
40
41
STEP 2: Review 'Matrix Visualization' sheet
42
 • See stakeholders plotted on 2x2 matrix
43
 • Colored by quadrant
44
 • Visual representation of stakeholder landscape
45
46
STEP 3: Use 'Engagement Strategy' sheet
47
 • Detailed engagement approach for each stakeholder
48
 • Specific actions based on quadrant
49
 • Track communication and touchpoints
50
51
RATING GUIDELINES:
52
53
Power (Can they help or hinder?):
54
 5 = Can approve/block, control budget/resources, organizational authority
55
 4 = Significant influence on decisions, respected opinion
56
 3 = Moderate influence, consulted on important matters
57
 2 = Limited influence, peripheral to project
58
 1 = No influence on project outcomes
59
60
Interest (How much do they care?):
61
 5 = Highly engaged, frequently asks questions, strong opinions
62
 4 = Very interested, active participation
63
 3 = Moderately interested, attends key meetings
64
 2 = Low interest, delegates to others
65
 1 = Minimal interest, only aware project exists
66
67
THRESHOLD FOR QUADRANTS:
68
69
• High = Rating ≥ 3
70
• Low = Rating < 3
71
72
This means a stakeholder rated (3,3) is in the HIGH POWER + HIGH INTEREST quadrant.
73
74
TIPS:
75
76
✓ Be honest in ratings - don't over or underestimate
77
✓ Revisit quarterly - power and interest change over time
78
✓ Use for communication planning - allocate effort accordingly
79
✓ Share with team - alignment on stakeholder landscape
80
✓ Focus most energy on High Power + High Interest quadrant
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100