Power Mapping
Power Mapping is a strategic exercise to visually represent the key decision-makers, influencers, and stakeholders involved in a campaign, along with their level of influence and support. It helps teams focus their energy on the most impactful relationships and identify potential allies or obstacles.
Use this method when a campaign team needs to develop or refine its strategy by understanding the power dynamics at play. It's particularly useful when facing complex decision-making processes and needing to prioritize engagement efforts.
Solves: Lack of strategic focus, inefficient resource allocation, misunderstanding of stakeholder relationships.
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Step 1: Define the Campaign Objective (5 min). Clearly articulate the specific, achievable outcome the campaign aims to achieve.
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Step 2: Identify Key Stakeholders (15 min). Brainstorm and list all individuals, groups, and organizations that have a stake in the campaign's outcome. Write each on a separate card or sticky note.
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Step 3: Create the Power Map (10 min). Draw a matrix with a vertical axis representing 'Influence/Power' (high to low) and a horizontal axis representing 'Support/Opposition' (opposed to supportive).
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Step 4: Position Stakeholders on the Map (30 min). Place each stakeholder card on the map according to their level of influence and support. Discuss the relationships between stakeholders and adjust their positions accordingly.
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Step 5: Identify Key Leverage Points (15 min). Analyze the completed map to identify individuals or groups who hold significant power and are potentially influenceable. Discuss strategies for engaging these stakeholders.
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Step 6: Report Back and Discuss (15 min). Share the power maps and discuss key insights and strategic implications.
- Encourage participants to be specific about the type of influence each stakeholder holds.
- Remind participants to consider both direct and indirect relationships between stakeholders.
- Conduct a 'pre-mortem' by mapping potential obstacles and challenges.
- Use different colored cards to represent different types of stakeholders (e.g., allies, opponents, neutral).