5.6 Mapping who has power and influence

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This simple power map uses three behaviour types mapped against three levels of influence. It helps you identify all the stakeholders with an interest in change. Blockers are unsupportive and may stop the change. Undecideds are not particularly interested in the change but could be persuaded to take part. Champions fully support and may take action. All of these players may have a high, medium, or low ability to influence. By plotting power and influence of individuals and groups in this matrix, you can think through the influencing strategies you use to reach them. Here are some examples. If they are of high influence and champions, engage them in action.
If they are high or medium influence but undecided, consider tactics to persuade them to join you, more if they could slip back to being blockers.
Often, members of a community will have low influence on their own. Can you perform alliances and increase their influence and so increase their collective power? What tactics will you use to neutralise the influence of highly influencing blockers. Ask yourself, why are they a blocker?
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Now that we’ve thought more about what influencing is, let’s look at who are the key stakeholders and audiences we want to influence.

Power mapping is a tool which can help to identify who to influence, who you could reach out to for support, and who you could work with and alongside. These will be individuals or organisations who have an interest or concern about the problem or issue you are campaigning on. They may have decision-making power on the issue or be influential people, organisations or groups. You should also include the people who will ultimately benefit from the change you want to achieve.

Watch the video above to see how a simple power map matrix can help you analyse all the relevant stakeholders in relation to your change goal and objectives.

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Members of a refugee women’s group in Tripoli, Lebanon, engage in a training session to combat Gender Based Violence and empower other women in their communities to do the same. In a country where laws and norms do not protect women from violence, community solidarity is critical.
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Members of a refugee women's group sit in a training session. Some are taking notes.

Members of a refugee women’s group in Tripoli, Lebanon, engage in a training session to combat Gender Based Violence and empower other ...

Activity 5.3: Power mapping

Timing: Allow 15 minutes

Use the power mapping tool below to help you think more critically about, and prioritise, who you need to engage to achieve your change objectives. It will help you identify who are your supporters, or champions, who are the blockers and who is still undecided on your issue, and how influential they are.

Remember to consider those people or stakeholders who may potentially be negatively affected by the change as well as people who may be in overlooked or marginalised groups in society, in this particular context, or on this issue. This is a time to ensure that you have considered everyone. And it is also a chance to consider the ‘unusual suspects’, i.e. those people or groups who might not naturally be on your radar but who would have an interest in the change issue.

The more specific you can be the better. So, for example, don’t just include ‘media’ but specify whether you are referring to the press, TV, radio or other media, perhaps even specific media outlets, newspapers, even named journalists if certain individuals are particularly relevant to the issue you are working on.

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A matrix grid with high, medium and low influence down the left vertical side, and blocker, undecided and champion along the bottom horizontal side.

Table 5.1: Power mapping
 BlockerUndecidedChampion
High influence
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Medium influence
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Low influence
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5.5 Illustration of spheres of influence

5.7 Influencing where space is restricted