Purpose
Helps clarify group input, selection, and decision in concrete terms. It turns individual contributions into a visible selection. The result is captured as a Salience diagram and a class-based strategy.
Facilitation
Stakeholder Salience Model
Moves group input, selection, and decision toward a concrete result through "prepare the stakeholder list", "define power, legitimacy, and urgency", and "derive strategy by class".
Which stakeholders combine which combination of power, legitimacy and urgency, and which strategy follows for each of the eight classes?
MediumWorkshop60-90 min
How it works
The team follows the steps "prepare the stakeholder list", "define power, legitimacy, and urgency", "assess each stakeholder", "visualize the eight classes", and "derive strategy by class". Each step is made visible. At the end, a Salience diagram and class-based strategy are available so decisions, tests, or actions can continue directly.
Visual orientation
Method sketch for a quick mental model.
Flow
- 1Prepare the stakeholder list
- 2Define power, legitimacy, and urgency
- 3Assess each stakeholder
- 4Visualize the eight classes
- 5Derive strategy by class
The runsheet guides execution with 4 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open runsheetIdeal for
- Public-sector projects
- Cross-org initiatives
- Change programs
Not good for
- Small product teams without politics
Deep dive
In detail
The Stakeholder Salience Model by Mitchell, Agle, and Wood uses three dimensions: power, legitimacy, and urgency. Their combinations form eight classes that deserve different levels of attention. It is often used in complex multi-stakeholder programs where power alone is too narrow a lens.
Facilitation
Define the three dimensions clearly. Discuss edge cases instead of smoothing them away. Keep the artifact confidential.
Output artifacts
Salience-DiagrammStrategie pro Klasse
Artifact templates
Stakeholder Salience Model Working TemplateCompact working template for Stakeholder Salience Model with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.canvas
Stakeholder Salience Model Working TemplateCompact working template for Stakeholder Salience Model with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
canvasstakeholder-salience-model-working-template.md
Compact working template for Stakeholder Salience Model with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
Stakeholder Salience Model Canvas
Context
What is this method used for?
Core question
Which question should be answered at the end?
Input
Which data, observations, or materials are available?
Working area
- Area 1:
- Area 2:
- Area 3:
- Relationships / patterns:
Output artifacts
- Salience diagram:
- Strategy by class:
Open questions
- ...
Next step
Owner, date, success signal.
When to choose differently
Short decision aid for existing alternatives.
Power Interest Grid
Statt Stakeholder Salience Model, wenn ihr Stakeholder nach Einfluss und Interesse sauber einordnen wollt.
Similar methods
All methodsFacilitation
Power Interest Grid
Moves group input, selection, and decision toward a concrete result through "collect stakeholders individually and by group", "explain power and interest", and "derive a strategy for each quadrant".
Statt Stakeholder Salience Model, wenn ihr Stakeholder nach Einfluss und Interesse sauber einordnen wollt.
Facilitation
Alignment Mapping
Turns group input, selection, and decision into a tangible result by defining the alignment question, collecting stakeholder perspectives, and planning clarification steps.
Facilitation
3-Circle Venn Diagram
Turns group contributions, selection, and decision-making into a tangible result by defining three perspectives, collecting items, and deriving implications.
Facilitation
Expectation Mapping
Turns group input, selection, and decision into a tangible result by clarifying stakeholders and scope, collecting expectations silently, and deriving agreements.
Facilitation
Stakeholder Mapping
Turns options, selection, and decisions into a tangible result by listing stakeholders, assessing influence and interest, and planning next conversations.
Facilitation
Team Charter
Turns group input, selection, and decision into a tangible result by clarifying team purpose, capturing goals and stakeholders, and reviewing the charter over time.