Participation Tools For The Pacific - Part 2 Stakeholder Analysis - 2019-09-09 PDF
Participation Tools For The Pacific - Part 2 Stakeholder Analysis - 2019-09-09 PDF
Example of a Venn Diagram created for an ADB-financed project. Photo credit: Emma Walters.
Visual Associations Mapping, Stakeholder Mapping Matrices, and Venn
Diagrams can be used as stakeholder analysis tools for CSO engagement
in the Pacific.
Introduction
What you need to know
Engagement of key stakeholder groups in operations financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
promotes good governance, transparency, innovation, responsiveness, and development effectiveness.
Effective engagement of stakeholder groups, including civil society, project beneficiaries, and project-
affected people, requires the understanding and effective use of participatory tools throughout the
project cycle. However, while one participatory tool may work well in one context, it may not be
appropriate in another. This series of explainers provides a range of tools from which practitioners can
pick and choose, according to different phases of the ADB project cycle, context, and available
time/resources. Some tools may be specific to particular phases in the ADB project cycle, such as
monitoring and evaluation tools, while others may be used throughout the project cycle, such as
participatory assessment tools.
What
Tree Maps illustrate associations and stakeholder groups and the relationships between them. They are
especially useful in working with low literacy populations and communities.
Why
Understanding the associations and relationships between stakeholder groups and within communities
is key to building a sustainable community initiative. Mapping associations is also a process that
involves stakeholders and can create buy-in to a project or intervention. Similar to Venn diagrams, this
pictorial representation of stakeholder relationships is suitable to the Pacific, with its focus on pictures
and symbols, rather than text.
When
Associations mapping is most often performed in the project preparation and design stages.
Who
A social development specialist or locally-engaged NGO can lead this process. It is important that key
stakeholder groups are included in the mapping process, to get a fuller picture of the important
associations, and their influence on each other.
How
1. Make a list of stakeholders and create different symbols that represent each stakeholder group.
Draw an outline of a tree on large paper.
2. Place the main organization or group being mapped at the center of the tree.
3. Place other organizations or stakeholder groups on other parts of the tree relative to the level of
engagement with the main stakeholder group (further away on the tree means a distant
relationship, while nearby on the tree means a close relationship). If the organization is large or
powerful (relative to the main organization) draw a large circle around it. If it is small or has low
influence, draw a smaller circle around it.
4. When the Tree Map is completed, review and ask:
Source: N. Eliasov. 2013. Asset Based and Community Driven Development – Course
Materials, Ikhala Trust, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
N. Eliasov. 2013. Asset Based and Community Driven Development – Course Materials . Ikhala Trust,
Port Elizabeth, South Africa. pp34-35.
What
Matrices as used to map stakeholders’ assets, strengths, motivations and constraints in relation to an
issue, to assist with project planning and design. Stakeholder matrices can be strengths-based and
focus on assets and strengths that stakeholders have or bring; or deficit-based or needs-based and
focus on how the stakeholders are affected by a problem, and what constraints they have. Or they may
combine the two approaches.
Why
Analysing stakeholders and their assets, strengths, perception of the problem, interests, motivations,
and constraints is essential to ensure that the project design is targeted or that the policy communication
reaches those who have an interest or need to know.
When
Stakeholder analyses are conducted during the project design phase, but may be updated during
implementation.
Who
Stakeholder analyses can be prepared by a project leader or social development specialist, but should
not be undertaken in isolation. It is important that stakeholder analyses are conducted in a participatory
process with a range of stakeholders, particularly ADB staff, resident missions, developing member
country officials and other project stakeholder groups.
How
What are the stakeholder’s knowledge, experience, skills and resources that could help with the
project?
What role could the stakeholder group have in the project?
How important is this stakeholder group to the success of the project?
How is this group affected by the problem or issue?
Why do they want to address the problem or issue (motivation)?
What stops them dealing with the problem or issue (constraints)?
What is their relationship to other stakeholders?
What is the impact of this on your planning?
These heavily text-based methods of stakeholder analysis should be used in conjunction with other
pictorial mapping tools in the Pacific, especially when involving communities and beneficiaries.
Example of an external stakeholder mapping matrix. Photo credit: Emma Walters
ADB. 2019. Guidelines for Preparing a Design and Monitoring Framework . Manila. p17.
Australian Government AusAID. 2005. AusGuideline 3.3 The Logical Framework Approach . Australia.
pp28-29.
Pacific Research and Evaluation Associates. 2014. The Pacific Guide to Project Proposal Preparation
Using the Logical Framework Approach: Learner Guide. pp17-21.
Venn Diagrams
What
Venn diagrams are useful for identifying relationships between stakeholder groups, the relative power or
influence of groups, how close or distant groups are to each other and the strength of relationships
between groups. They can be used to assess current or future (desired) relationships.
Why
Venn diagrams offer a visual tool that is particularly suited to the Pacific, in comparison with heavily text-
based stakeholder analysis tools.
When
In the preparation stage of the ADB project cycle, although they can be updated during the project cycle
to track changes in relationships between stakeholder groups.
Who
ADB Social Development Specialist; CSOs engaged to lead the stakeholder analysis; professional
facilitator.
How
What is missing?
What do the gaps indicate?
What work needs to be done to engage with close and distant stakeholders?
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. EvnPHPS Assessment Toolkit. Stakeholder Mapping Venn
Diagram.
FAO. 2006. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Manual. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the
United Nations. St Lucia. p21.
Marginalized and vulnerable groups (especially poorest groups, ethnic minorities, female-
headed households, and migrant groups)?
Main client/beneficiary groups?
Groups who will be negatively affected by the project?
All potential supporters and opponents of the project?
All different kinds of male and female stakeholders (using gender analysis if necessary)?
Should these stakeholders be divided into user, occupational, age, income, or ethnic groups?
Source: ADB. 2012. Strengthening Participation for Development Results. Manila. p28.
Related Links
Participation Tools for the Pacific - Part 1: Engaging Pacific Civil Society Organizations
Participation Tools for the Pacific - Part 3: Design and Monitoring Framework
Downloadable Copy
Participation Tools for the Pacific - All Parts
Lainie currently supports civil society participation in ADB’s operations through its
NGO and Civil Society Center. Prior to this assignment, she supported health and
education projects in Southeast Asia. Before joining ADB, she worked for a range of international and
local nongovernment organizations. With more than 25 years of development experience, she has also
worked in the field in Kenya, South Sudan, Azerbaijan, Somalia, Cambodia, and The Gambia.
Emma Walters
Management and Participatory Engagement Consultant, Asian Development Bank
Suzanne M. Nazal
Senior Social Development Officer (Civil Society and Participation), Sustainable Development and Climate
Change Department, Asian Development Bank
Ninebeth S. Carandang
Senior Social Development Specialist, Pacific Department, Asian Development Bank