How to Use the AI-Assisted Stakeholder Analysis Tool
This stakeholder analysis tool helps transformation, ERP, CRM, AI implementation, software rollout, operating model, and process-change teams map stakeholder groups, assess stakeholder engagement risk, and generate an AI engagement strategy. Use it to improve transformation readiness, focus engagement effort, and reduce adoption risk before resistance becomes expensive.
What this tool helps you do
The AI-assisted stakeholder analysis turns a loose list of audiences into a structured stakeholder map. It combines impact, influence, size, and attitude so project teams can see where engagement effort matters most.
Map stakeholder groups
List the groups affected by the change, such as project teams, mid-management, customers, regulators, or frontline employees.
Score impact and influence
Rate each group from 1 to 5 so the tool can calculate priority and place each group in the right engagement quadrant.
Identify blockers and allies
Use attitude and priority scores to spot opposed high-influence groups, unaware audiences, and supportive champions.
Read the bubble heatmap
See influence on the X-axis, impact on the Y-axis, bubble size by group size, and colour by attitude.
Generate an AI engagement strategy
Create a tailored engagement plan that cites your actual stakeholder groups, attitudes, quadrants, and priorities.
Export and share results
Copy a summary, download JSON or CSV, and print a clean PDF for team discussions and decision records.
Before you start
Browser-local storage
Your stakeholder data is saved in your browser on your device. It may not follow you if you switch browser, clear data, or use a private window.
Export a backup
Download JSON regularly, especially before loading sample data, resetting, sharing results, or moving work between devices.
Group-level data only
Use stakeholder groups, not individual names, emails, or phone numbers. This keeps the analysis useful and safer to share.
How the stakeholder analysis works
Each stakeholder group is scored using five practical inputs: group name, impact, influence, size, and attitude. The tool uses these inputs to calculate priority, assign a quadrant, and update the live heatmap.
| Input | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stakeholder group | A group affected by or able to influence the change. Avoid personal data. | Mid-management |
| Impact 1-5 | How much the project changes this group’s work, experience, responsibilities, or outcomes. | 4 |
| Influence 1-5 | How much this group can accelerate, block, legitimise, or slow the project. | 5 |
| Size | Approximate number of people in the group. Bubble size uses this value. | 120 |
| Attitude | Current stance: supportive, undecided, opposed, or unaware. | Undecided |
Step-by-step guide
Open the tool
Go to stakeholders.readinesscompass.com and start a stakeholder map for one project or program.
Fill project context
Add project name, assessment date, project type, business area, region, assessor, and sponsor.
Add stakeholder groups
Use groups such as customers, workstream leads, managers, regulators, or frontline employees. Avoid individual names.
Score each group
Enter impact, influence, size, and attitude. The tool calculates priority and quadrant automatically.
Review priority score
Use the priority band to see which groups need immediate, active, or lighter engagement.
Read the bubble heatmap
Look for opposed or unaware groups with high influence, large impacted populations, and top-right quadrant clusters.
Use engagement guidance
Assign owners and tactics for Manage Closely, Keep Satisfied, Keep Informed, and Monitor groups.
Generate and export
Generate the AI engagement strategy when your data is complete enough, then copy, download, or print results.
How priority is calculated
The tool uses a transparent formula so teams can challenge and explain each stakeholder priority score.
| Attitude | Weight | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Supportive | 0.8 | Lower priority because the group is already broadly on board. |
| Undecided | 1.0 | Standard priority because the group’s stance can still move either way. |
| Unaware | 1.2 | Higher latent risk because the group has not yet reacted to the change. |
| Opposed | 1.5 | Highest priority because active resistance needs focused engagement. |
| Priority band | Score range | Planning signal |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | 20+ | Immediate engagement owner and senior attention. |
| High | 12-19.9 | Active engagement plan and regular monitoring. |
| Medium | 5-11.9 | Structured communications and feedback loops. |
| Low | Below 5 | Light-touch monitoring unless attitude changes. |
How to read the bubble heatmap
X-axis: influence
Groups on the right have more power to accelerate, block, or shape the change.
Y-axis: impact
Groups higher on the chart experience more change to work, behaviour, role, service, or outcomes.
Bubble size and colour
Bubble size shows group size. Colour shows attitude: supportive, undecided, opposed, or unaware.
| Quadrant | Meaning | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Manage Closely | High impact and high influence. | Opposed or unaware groups here are the most urgent engagement risks. |
| Keep Satisfied | Low impact and high influence. | They may block even if the project does not change much for them. |
| Keep Informed | High impact and low influence. | They need clear communication, feedback loops, and practical support. |
| Monitor | Low impact and low influence. | Use light-touch monitoring unless size, impact, or attitude changes. |
Engagement guidance by quadrant
Manage Closely
Use weekly 1:1s, co-design sessions, explicit owners, and senior sponsor attention. These groups need active partnership.
Keep Satisfied
Use monthly briefings, named relationship owners, and agreed escalation routes so influential groups stay aligned.
Keep Informed
Use regular communications, feedback surveys, FAQs, and drop-in clinics so highly impacted groups feel prepared.
Monitor
Use periodic pulse checks and watch for changes in attitude, impact, or size.
Blockers
Prioritise opposed groups with high influence or high impact. Understand root causes before increasing communications volume.
Allies
Supportive high-influence groups can become champions, message carriers, and early-warning sensors.
Export and sharing options
Copy summary
Copy a concise text summary for emails, team updates, steering notes, or workshop preparation.
Download JSON
Save a structured backup with project metadata, summary statistics, and all stakeholder groups.
Download CSV
Export a spreadsheet-friendly file with group, impact, influence, size, attitude, priority, band, and quadrant.
Print / PDF
Create a clean report with the project context, stakeholder table, heatmap, and guidance cards.
No import function
The current stakeholder analysis tool exports data but does not import saved JSON, CSV, or Excel files back into the UI.
Offline workflow
If you need Excel round-trip support, use the Change Impact & Mitigation Register instead.
Troubleshooting
My data disappeared after refreshing or changing device.
The tool stores data in browser-local storage. Private browsing, browser cleanup, strict privacy tools, or a different device can make saved work unavailable. Export JSON at the end of each session.
The bubble heatmap is empty.
Add at least one stakeholder group with impact, influence, size, and attitude filled in. The chart needs complete rows to plot bubbles.
The AI panel shows mock mode or backend not reachable.
Mock mode means the LLM key is not configured. Backend not reachable usually means the AI service is temporarily unavailable. Your stakeholder map still works without AI generation.
The AI strategy does not include my latest stakeholders.
Regenerate the AI engagement strategy after editing stakeholder groups, attitudes, or scores.
Can I import Excel or a previous JSON export?
No. Exports are for backup, sharing, and reporting. Re-enter data manually or use the Change Impact & Mitigation Register for Excel round-trip workflows.
When to use this tool vs other Readiness Compass tools
| Tool | When to use it | Main output |
|---|---|---|
| Complexity Assessment | At the start of a program to assess overall people-side complexity and set resource/budget direction. | Overall score, classification, radar chart, top drivers, AI implementation strategy. |
| Stakeholder Analysis | After or alongside the complexity assessment, when you need stakeholder mapping and engagement priorities. | Bubble heatmap, priority scores, quadrants, engagement guidance, and AI engagement strategy. |
| Change Impact & Mitigation Register | Once the change scope is defined and you need to manage impacts, mitigations, owners, KPIs, and Excel workflows. | Impact register, mitigation plan, KPI tracking, and Excel round-trip support. |
Ready to map your stakeholders?
Use the tool before major design, deployment, or governance decisions so your team can focus engagement where it matters most.