What it is for: A stakeholder map is a structured list or grid of every person and group who affects or is affected by a project. You leave with a single view of everyone who matters to the work, what each cares about, how much each can shape it, the evidence behind those judgements and a named next contact for each.
Who it helps: Project leads, change managers and public service teams starting work that touches several departments, partners or communities.
When to use it
At the start of a project, to decide whose views you need before defining the problem.
Before a change that crosses several departments or partners.
When a project has stalled and you suspect someone important was never consulted.
How to use it
Write one sentence naming what the project will change.
List every stakeholder silently, one per note, thinking in rings from decide to live with it.
Write each one's interest in their own terms.
Judge influence as high, medium or low and note the evidence for each judgement.
Find who has high interest and no voice, set a next contact for everyone, and review monthly.
Tip: List silently first, then share. Group discussion too early narrows the list to the usual names.
Credits and sources: Original Tiremesù worksheet and wording. Further reading: 18F Methods https://github.com/18F/methods/tree/main/_methods
Full guide and film:https://www.tiremesu.com/guides/stakeholder-map
