Decision-makers
People who control policy, resources, approval, strategy or formal authorisation.
Stakeholder Mapping Guide
Stakeholder Mapping for Trust and Influence
map authority, proximity and trust.
A practical guide for identifying decision-makers, connectors, participants, implementers and trusted community voices.
Framework summary
The most senior person is not always the most influential person.
Good stakeholder mapping looks beyond position titles. It considers authority, trust, proximity, responsibility and the relationships that move work forward.
- Decision-makers
- Connectors
- Participants
- Implementers
- Trusted voices
- Observers and influencers
The framework
The core model
in practice.
Use this section as a practical reference when planning, facilitating or reviewing work with communities and stakeholders.
Connectors
People who can bridge organisations, communities, networks and local relationships.
Participants
People directly affected by the issue, service, decision, program or engagement process.
Implementers
People who will carry out the work and understand operational constraints and opportunities.
Trusted voices
People whose credibility, relationships or presence shape whether others will engage.
Observers and influencers
People not directly involved but able to shape perception, reputation or momentum.
When to use it
Useful for
real project work.
This page is designed to help professionals apply the framework in practical settings, not just read it as theory.
Partnership development
Identify who can help build momentum and who needs to be involved early.
Community engagement planning
Avoid relying only on formal organisations or familiar contacts.
Consultation design
Test who has authority, lived proximity and community trust.
Program mobilisation
Identify local champions, referral pathways or trusted communication routes.
Practice note. This framework is most useful when it is adapted to the community, organisation, issue and decision-making context involved.
Practice questions
Questions to ask
before moving forward.
Use these questions to test whether your planning is clear, respectful and practical.
Who has formal authority over the decision or resources?
Who has lived proximity to the issue or program?
Who is trusted by the people we need to reach?
Who will implement the work and understand operational realities?
Who is missing because they are harder to reach or not already connected?
Who could shape public understanding, momentum or resistance?
Common risks
What to avoid
in practice.
These risks can reduce trust, weaken participation or make the work less useful.
Mapping titles only
Job titles do not always show trust, access, proximity or practical influence.
Ignoring connectors
Without trusted connectors, engagement can struggle to reach the right people.
Missing implementers
A plan may look strong strategically but fail if practical delivery voices are absent.
Apply the framework
Need this adapted
for your organisation or project?
This framework can support planning, consultation, needs assessment, facilitation, stakeholder engagement and community-centred program work.
Useful details to include
The community, issue, program or event you are working with.
The kind of support you need: advice, facilitation, consultation, needs assessment or engagement planning.
Email:
blaise@itabelo.com
Mobile:
0402 493 675
Stakeholder Mapping Guide
Stakeholder Mapping for Trust and Influence
map authority, proximity and trust.
A practical guide for identifying decision-makers, connectors, participants, implementers and trusted community voices.
Framework summary
The most senior person is not always the most influential person.
Good stakeholder mapping looks beyond position titles. It considers authority, trust, proximity, responsibility and the relationships that move work forward.
- Decision-makers
- Connectors
- Participants
- Implementers
- Trusted voices
- Observers and influencers
The framework
The core model
in practice.
Use this section as a practical reference when planning, facilitating or reviewing work with communities and stakeholders.
Decision-makers
People who control policy, resources, approval, strategy or formal authorisation.
Connectors
People who can bridge organisations, communities, networks and local relationships.
Participants
People directly affected by the issue, service, decision, program or engagement process.
Implementers
People who will carry out the work and understand operational constraints and opportunities.
Trusted voices
People whose credibility, relationships or presence shape whether others will engage.
Observers and influencers
People not directly involved but able to shape perception, reputation or momentum.
When to use it
Useful for
real project work.
This page is designed to help professionals apply the framework in practical settings, not just read it as theory.
Partnership development
Identify who can help build momentum and who needs to be involved early.
Community engagement planning
Avoid relying only on formal organisations or familiar contacts.
Consultation design
Test who has authority, lived proximity and community trust.
Program mobilisation
Identify local champions, referral pathways or trusted communication routes.
Practice note. This framework is most useful when it is adapted to the community, organisation, issue and decision-making context involved.
Practice questions
Questions to ask
before moving forward.
Use these questions to test whether your planning is clear, respectful and practical.
Who has formal authority over the decision or resources?
Who has lived proximity to the issue or program?
Who is trusted by the people we need to reach?
Who will implement the work and understand operational realities?
Who is missing because they are harder to reach or not already connected?
Who could shape public understanding, momentum or resistance?
Common risks
What to avoid
in practice.
These risks can reduce trust, weaken participation or make the work less useful.
Mapping titles only
Job titles do not always show trust, access, proximity or practical influence.
Ignoring connectors
Without trusted connectors, engagement can struggle to reach the right people.
Missing implementers
A plan may look strong strategically but fail if practical delivery voices are absent.
Apply the framework
Need this adapted
for your organisation or project?
This framework can support planning, consultation, needs assessment, facilitation, stakeholder engagement and community-centred program work.
Useful details to include
The community, issue, program or event you are working with.
The kind of support you need: advice, facilitation, consultation, needs assessment or engagement planning.
Email:
blaise@itabelo.com
Mobile:
0402 493 675