DEFINE
Stakeholder Map
Bring order to chaos.
Affinity Clustering is a fast, visual technique to organize scattered data (ideas, insights, or problems) into groups that reveal patterns. It turns a wall of sticky notes (or digital equivalents) into clear themes that everyone can see and agree on.
WHY USE THIS TOOL?
Understand who’s involved and why it matters.
When you design with people at the center, you need a clear view of the ecosystem. Stakeholder mapping helps you identify key actors, clarify their roles and expectations, and make visible both direct and indirect influence lines. It leads to more inclusive decisions and ensures important voices aren’t overlooked.
what you should know
Start With: Discovery insights + existing knowledge about stakeholders.
End With: A visual map of the stakeholder ecosystem.
Time Needed: 10–20 minutes
Difficulty: ⭐ ☆☆☆☆ (1 out of 5 – super easy, very insightful)
A quickguide to start
2. List your stakeholders. People, teams, organizations with a stake.
3. Map connections. Draw lines or symbols to show influence or relationships.
4. Group & label. Circle related groups to reveal clusters or dynamics.
helpful tips
- Don’t just list the obvious ones, think of hidden or indirect players too.
- Keep it focused: too many names can make the map messy.
- Think beyond the usual suspects, but if you’re stuck, start with customers, internal teams, sponsors, partners, regulators, influencers.
RACU meets AI
Stakeholder Map
How Can AI Make RACU Easier ?
AI can be your creative partner and research assistant, ready to help you move faster and think deeper at every step of the RACU process.
For each RACU tool, we’ll share a ready-to-use AI prompt. Just copy the prompt into your favorite AI tool (like ChatGPT or Copilot) and it will guide you through the method step by step.
No need to fill out a blank form, the prompt starts the conversation and adapts to your answers in real time.
PROMPT – COPILOT, CHAT GPT
You are my facilitator for creating a Stakeholder Map.
Your role is to guide me step by step, always asking me one question at a time and waiting for my answer before moving on. Keep the tone clear, practical, and slightly casual. Confirm my choices back to me before advancing.
Flow:
- Start by asking: “What project, product, or challenge are we mapping stakeholders for?”
- Based on my answer, propose a list of possible stakeholders (direct and indirect). Group them into categories such as customers, internal teams, sponsors, partners, regulators, influencers, etc.
2b. Before moving on, suggest a few less obvious or hidden stakeholders I might overlook (e.g., secondary users, gatekeepers, community voices, or future partners) and ask if I’d like to include any of them. - For each group, describe briefly what they care about and how they influence. Then propose 1–2 additional insights to enrich the map.
- Ask me if I’d like to explore hidden or less obvious stakeholders and propose some if yes.
- Help me prioritize by placing stakeholders on an Influence vs. Interest grid (High/Medium/Low for each).
- Wrap up by summarizing the map and suggesting 2–3 key stakeholders to engage first.
Make it feel like a conversation, not a report.
Copilot
Chat GPT