Stakeholder Analysis

Last updated: 07/02/2009

Overview

Stakeholder analysis is a tool used to identify and understand those that have an interest or stake in an issue. Stakeholder analyses can be conducted using many different social science methods such as interviews, surveys, observation, and content analysis of public meeting records and other documents. Less formal stakeholder analyses may be achieved by simply consulting with local experts familiar with a situation and the stakeholders. Stakeholder analysis can be especially useful in the context of collaborative and participatory processes where all stakeholders in an issue are convened to discuss issues or make decisions.

Credit: NOAA Coastal Services Center

General Considerations

General Information
Stakeholders are generally defined as those individuals and groups that perceive themselves to be impacted, either positively or negatively, by a decision or outcome and therefore have an interest or stake in that decision. Stakeholders are also those that have influence or power in a process. Stakeholders' interests in an issue can be monetary, professional, personal, cultural, or can arise from a host of other motivations. Stakeholders in natural resource management scenarios often include resource users, businesses, local residents, interest groups and NGOs, government agencies, community/civic organizations, Native American tribes, and academic institutions.

Stakeholder analysis helps to identify the stakeholders in a particular issue and to understand the motivations, desires, influence, and other characteristics of those stakeholders. A stakeholder analysis typically begins with identification of the stakeholders in a situation. This is done using local knowledge of the situation, analysis of stakeholder participation in similar issues, direct interaction with the public in order to identify stakeholders, or allowing stakeholders to self-identify. Additionally, there are many frameworks, checklists, and other tools available that can assist in identifying stakeholders.

Next, if greater detail is needed, social science methods may be employed to gain a better understanding of the stakeholders. Interviews, surveys, focus groups, observation, content analysis of public meeting records and other secondary information, and other methods may be used to generate detailed descriptions of individual stakeholders or the groups that they represent. In-depth stakeholder analyses may use a combination of social science methods and can help address your questions on:

basic stakeholder characteristics such as contact information, affiliation, position, level of influence, and likely degree of involvement in the issue
the organized groups that stakeholders represent, for example the group's mission, membership, key contacts, history, authority, scope of influence, and likely degree of involvement in the issue
stakeholders' position on an issue (e.g. in favor of permit issuance or opposed to permit issuance)
stakeholders' interests in an issue (e.g. improving water quality, preserving aesthetics, increasing property value)

Application

Stakeholder analysis can be done quite informally, or can be conducted more rigorously if great detail on stakeholders is needed. For example, simply identifying and inviting stakeholders may be all that's needed for a small group discussion on a non-controversial topic. For larger group discussions, discussions on controversial topics, decision-making processes, or detailed assessments of the state of natural resources, however, in-depth stakeholder analysis can be valuable. Detailed information gained through a more formal stakeholder analysis can be used in a variety of ways, from deciding where and when to schedule a single stakeholder meeting to designing and tailoring long-term collaborative and participatory processes in which stakeholders play a key role.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

Can be performed using widely available secondary data sources such as public records, Web sites, and media reporting
Results of analysis may be useful for multiple purposes
Interaction with stakeholders during analysis may help to build rapport and generate public support
Can help in designing more efficient and effective collaborative processes

Limitations

Expert consultation may be required for in-depth analysis
Individuals may not accurately represent or have the support of groups to which they belong
Analysis does not necessarily help to predict stakeholder behavior
Results of analysis will likely need to be revisited after much time has elapsed

Expertise Needed

A basic stakeholder analysis can be carried out with little more than access to secondary information on your situation and stakeholders, or access to someone with an expert understanding of the situation. In-depth stakeholder analyses that employ social science methods and demand interaction with stakeholders may require consultation or guidance from a social scientist. Your particular situation will determine the quantity and quality of information that you need on stakeholders.

Related Tools/Methods

Stakeholder analysis is a broadly applicable tool that is conducted using a variety of social science methods, including:

Interviews
Surveys
Focus Groups
Observation
Content Analysis
Secondary Data Analysis

Contact Information

Please email the NOAA Coastal Services Center's Human Dimensions Program at nos.csc.human.dimensions@noaa.gov for technical assistance in performing a stakeholder analysis or to identify those with expertise in your area.

HD.gov

Methods