Templates & Examples / Project Templates
Stakeholder Mapping: Directions of Influence
Classify stakeholders by the directional plane they influence relative to the project manager to guide the appropriate communication style.
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2 Sections
Resource Template
§1 Directional Classification
Mapping the direction of influence helps project managers tailor their communication channels. Upward stakeholders require strategic alignment; downward teams need operational clarity; sideward peers seek coordination; and outward entities require broadcast communication and expectation management.
| Direction | Description | Common Stakeholders |
|---|---|---|
| Upward | Senior leadership and sponsor influence. | C-Suite, Executives, Project Sponsors |
| Downward | Reporting lines into the project manager. | Core Project Team, Dedicated Specialists |
| Outward | External to the immediate organisation. | Customers, Vendors, Regulators, Public |
| Sideward | Peers and other functional managers within the firm. | Department Leads, Peer PMs, Compliance |
§2 Worked Example: Website Project
This compass illustrates the spheres of influence specifically mapped for "Mary's Consulting - New Company Website", with the PM positioned firmly in the centre mediating the flows.
Upward
Mary (CEO / Sponsor)
Sideward
Marketing Lead
Sales Lead
IT / Hosting Ops
Legal / Compliance
The Centre
Project Manager
Outward
Fortune 500 Prospects
Consultants (500+)
Hosting / CMS Vendor
Downward
Bob (Dev)
Bill (UX)
Christine (Content)