How to identify your stakeholders

When discussing stakeholder analysis or conducting a stakeholder mapping exercise, we often emphasize the importance of identifying your stakeholders from the outset. But this raises a key question: how do you identify your key stakeholders if you're unsure who they are to begin with?

According to the IFC, a stakeholder is described as:

"Stakeholders are persons or groups who are directly or indirectly affected by a project, as well as those who may have interests in a project and/or the ability to influence its outcome, either positively or negatively."¹

How do I identify my key stakeholders?

Are you wondering how to identify your key stakeholders? The first step is to ask the right questions that help identify everyone who has a stake in your project, whether directly or indirectly. By answering these questions, you can uncover the people, groups, and/or communities essential to your project's success.

To help kickstart your stakeholder identification process, we've compiled a list of nine essential questions designed to help you uncover exactly who your stakeholders are. Use these questions to clarify and map out the key individuals and groups that your project will impact or be impacted by.

What are some questions to help identify my key stakeholders?

Along with your team, use these questions to help you understand who might be affected by your project (positively or negatively) or who might be interested in your project (interests can be financial, emotional, environmental, etc.). The people, groups of communities, you identify by answering these questions are your stakeholders.

Will your project disrupt neighbourhoods or community spaces?

Réfléchissez à des questions telles que

1. Will your project create noise (e.g. construction noise)?
2. Are you developing in an area that people might feel strongly about (e.g. a greenspace)?
3. Will your project block any views people might enjoy?
4. Will there be any temporary roadway blockages or diversions?

If so, name the people, communities, commuters and organizations who might be impacted or who might care about these developments.

Is your project occurring on or near traditional territory?

Réfléchissez à des questions telles que

1. Will any Indigenous or Tribal communities be interested or affected?
2. Are there any Indigenous or Tribal communities who might like to be involved in the project?
3. Are there any regulations or expectations that need to be/should be?

Will your project impact other organizations?

Réfléchissez à des questions telles que

1. Will your project create competition for other businesses?
2. Will your project impact any businesses that people might feel strongly about (e.g., local businesses or businesses with a high level of local employment, etc.)?
3. If so, name the people, communities and organizations who might be impacted (this can include specific organizations you might impact along with people who are loyal to those organizations and who utilize or rely on them)

What are the environmental impacts of your project?

Réfléchissez à des questions telles que

1. Are there special interest groups that may have a perspective on your project? (could be associations or clubs, etc.)
2. Will your project impact the land?
3. Will your project impact the community's environment (water quality, air quality, etc.)?
4. If so, name the people, associations, groups, communities, and organizations who might be impacted or interested.

Are there internal stakeholders to consider?

1. Employees?
2. Managers/decision-makers?
3. Shareholders?
4. Board members?
5. Contractors

Who influences your stakeholders?

1. Are there community leaders whose opinions on your organization or project could affect stakeholders' or communities' views?
2. Will the media be an influencer in your project?

Who controls or influences this project's required resources (or funding)?

Consider a question like:

1. Who has influence or control over the budget?

Who influences approvals or permissions for this project?

1. Who reviews risk management for the project?
2. Who approves changes?
3. Are there any regulatory requirements that need to be met (government, regulators, etc.)?

Who can impact your project even after it's over?

Réfléchissez à des questions telles que

1. Could there be any additional or lingering effects for anyone after your project completion date?

Remember: just because your project is completed doesn't mean it can't potentially continue to impact stakeholders and communities.

What do I do after I have identified my stakeholders?

Once you answer these questions, you'll have identified your key stakeholders who could be affected by or are interested in your project.

Use these stakeholders to build your key stakeholders list, and then conduct a stakeholder analysis exercise to examine your key stakeholders more closely!