--- title: "Stakeholder Mapping | Common Ground Consulting" description: "Learn how to identify and analyze allies, targets, and opponents using the influence-support matrix." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Stakeholder Mapping for Advocacy Campaigns", "description": "Learn how to identify and analyze allies, targets, and opponents using the influence-support matrix.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Craig A. Bowman" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Common Ground Consulting" }, "dateModified": "2026-02-01" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://commongroundconsulting.ai/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Resources", "item": "https://commongroundconsulting.ai/#services" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Advocacy Planning", "item": "https://commongroundconsulting.ai/resources/advocacy-planning" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Stakeholder Mapping" } ] } ] --- [![Common Ground Consulting logo: stylized circular emblem with the firm's name, linking to the homepage](/assets/commonground-logo-white-RKdLhTAB.png)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about#company-metrics)[Partnership](/strategic-implementation-partnership)[Cases](/case-studies)[Clients](/clients)[Blog](/blog) - About - Services - Interventions - Resources Search Search 1. [Home ](/) 2. [Resources ](/#services) 3. [Advocacy Planning ](/resources/advocacy-planning) 4. Stakeholder Mapping Analysis Tool # Stakeholder Mapping Identify, analyze, and prioritize stakeholders based on their influence and support for your advocacy goals. Craig A. Bowman, Common Ground Consulting Updated February 2026 ## What is Stakeholder Mapping? Stakeholder mapping is a systematic process for identifying and analyzing people and organizations who can affect or are affected by your advocacy issue. It helps you understand who has power, who supports your goals, and how to engage different stakeholders strategically. ## The Influence-Support Matrix Plot stakeholders based on **Influence** (power over your issue) and **Support** (favorability to your position): Champions High Influence + High Support Strategy: Keep engaged. Leverage their influence. Targets High Influence + Low Support Strategy: Focus effort here. Find persuasive messengers. Supporters Low Influence + High Support Strategy: Mobilize to influence targets. Opponents Low Influence + Low Support Strategy: Don't waste resources. Monitor only. ## Types of Stakeholders ### Primary Targets Decision-makers with direct authority. The people who can say 'yes' to your ask. ### Secondary Targets People who influence primary targets: advisors, donors, influential constituents. ### Allies Organizations and individuals who share your goals and will actively work with you. ### Neutrals Stakeholders who haven't taken a position. Often worth cultivating if they have influence. ### Opponents Those actively working against you. Understanding their arguments helps counter them. ## How to Create a Stakeholder Map 1 Brainstorm all relevant stakeholders. Cast a wide net initially. 2 Research each stakeholder's position and level of influence. 3 Place each stakeholder on the influence-support matrix. 4 For high-priority stakeholders, develop detailed profiles: interests, pressures, access points. 5 Develop engagement strategies for each quadrant. 6 Revisit and update your map as positions change. ## Tips for Effective Mapping - **Involve people with diverse networks** and knowledge - **Base assessments on research,** not assumptions - **Remember that positions can change** over time - **Look for unlikely allies** - **Map the connections** between stakeholders - **Consider stakeholders' stakeholders** (who influences your targets?) **Attribution:** This guide reflects Common Ground Consulting's approach, adapted from power mapping methodologies used in community organizing and policy advocacy. 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