Quality Improvement Zone

Stakeholder analysis is a tool that helps teams identify, understand and engage the people who may influence, be affected by, or have an interest in an improvement project. It supports meaningful involvement, effective communication and successful implementation of change.

A stakeholder analysis uses an interest and influence matrix to help teams consider who should be involved, consulted, collaborated with or kept informed throughout improvement work. It helps teams understand different perspectives and plan engagement activities that are appropriate to each stakeholder group.

Stakeholders may include:

• people using services and their families
• staff delivering services
• managers and leaders
• partner organisations
• policy makers
• community groups
• professional bodies
• other teams affected by the change

Stakeholders are part of the wider system. Different stakeholders may experience the same process in different ways and bring different perspectives about what needs to improve. Understanding these perspectives can strengthen improvement design, implementation and sustainability.

Successful improvement depends on involving the right people at the right time. Stakeholder analysis helps teams understand who has an interest in the work, who may influence success and how different individuals or groups should be engaged.

Stakeholder analysis can help you:

• identify who needs to be involved in improvement work
• understand different perspectives and priorities
• build support for improvement and change
• identify concerns, risks and barriers early
• improve communication and engagement activities
• support co-production and person-centred improvement
• increase the likelihood that changes will be adopted and sustained

The purpose of stakeholder analysis is not simply to decide who receives information. It helps teams consider who should be involved, consulted, collaborated with or updated throughout the project.

Stakeholder analysis works best when completed collaboratively with project team members who understand different parts of the system. The aim is to identify stakeholders, understand their perspectives and plan appropriate engagement.

1. Identify stakeholders

Brainstorm everyone who may influence, be affected by, or have an interest in the project.

Consider:

• service users and families
• frontline staff
• managers and leaders
• partner organisations
• regulators
• community groups
• support services

2. Assess interest and influence

Discuss each stakeholder and consider:

• How interested are they in the project?
• How much influence do they have?
• How might they affect the success of the work?
• How might the project affect them?

3. Understand stakeholder perspectives

Explore:

• What matters most to them?
• What opportunities do they see?
• What concerns might they have?
• How could the improvement affect them?
• What support or involvement would they find helpful?

The goal is to understand perspectives, priorities and expectations rather than make assumptions about stakeholders.

4. Map stakeholders onto the matrix

Place stakeholders in the appropriate area of the interest and influence matrix. This provides a visual overview of who may require different types of engagement.

5. Develop an engagement approach

Consider how each stakeholder or stakeholder group will be:

• involved
• consulted
• collaborated with
• informed
• updated

Think about the methods that may be most appropriate, such as meetings, workshops, co-design activities, surveys, updates or one-to-one conversations.

Involve and collaborate - High influence, high interest

These stakeholders are likely to play an important role in the success of the project and should be actively involved throughout the work. Consider opportunities for collaboration, co-design and shared decision-making.

Keep satisfied and engaged - High influence, lower interest

These stakeholders may not need regular involvement in day-to-day activities but should remain engaged and informed. Their support can be important as the project progresses.

Keep engaged - Lower influence, high interest

These stakeholders are often directly affected by the change and can provide valuable insights, feedback and learning. Ensure they have opportunities to contribute to discussions and influence the work where appropriate.

Monitor and inform - Lower influence, lower interest

These stakeholders may require less intensive engagement but should still be considered and informed where appropriate. Their level of interest or influence may change over time.

6. Review and update regularly

Stakeholder analysis is not a one-off activity. As improvement work develops, new stakeholders may emerge, and levels of influence and interest may change. Regular review helps ensure the right people remain involved at the right time.

• Involve a range of perspectives when identifying stakeholders
• Avoid making assumptions about what stakeholders think or need
• Consider opportunities for meaningful involvement rather than simply providing information
• Pay particular attention to people who are directly affected by the change
• Review the analysis regularly as the project develops
• Use the analysis to inform engagement plans and communication activities