Map influence, then set the comms cadence
Stakeholder Analysis and the Communication Plan
Mapping power and interest, then engineering the information flow that keeps a project unblocked.
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Projects rarely fail on technical grounds. They fail because someone with the power to stop them was surprised.
Power / interest grid
| Low interest | High interest | |
|---|---|---|
| High power | Keep satisfied — brief, no detail | Manage closely — co-create decisions |
| Low power | Monitor — general comms | Keep informed — regular detail |
RACI, used sparingly
- Responsible — does the work. Can be several people.
- Accountable — answers for the outcome. Exactly one person, always.
- Consulted — two-way input before the decision.
- Informed — one-way notification after it.
Related PMI standards & templates
External resources on pmi.org — links open in a new tab. Some require PMI membership.
PMI standard templates for this topic
Editable Word and print-ready PDF downloads — no sign-up required.
- Project charter template →A PMI standard project charter template with a section-by-section walkthrough, a filled-in example and the sign-off block sponsors actually ask for.
- Project status report template →A PMI standard project status report template with a RAG summary, milestone and budget tables, a filled-in example and the decisions block sponsors actually read.
- RACI matrix template →A PMI standard RACI matrix template with a section-by-section walkthrough, a filled-in example and the one-accountable-owner rule that stops responsibility arguments.
- Stakeholder register template →A PMI standard stakeholder register and engagement plan template: power/interest grid, current versus target stance, and the channel and cadence for every group.
The PM Delivery Toolkit turns everything in this guide into fill-in templates — $25, one payment.
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