Students:Stakeholder mapping workshop

Definition

Mind maps or concept maps are graphical tools used to organize knowledge - they visualise (structure of) some information. They outline some mental or real categories (such as words, ideas, tasks, or physical entities) and relations between them (either some central category exists - in mind map, or multiple relations between the categorie have to be described in a diagram - concept map).

Role play activity

Students should form "interest groups" -> play roles of different actors

Groupwork: mind mapping (first steps)

Goal: to explore relations of the student’s group (= one of the actors) to strategic development visions of the region (central issue)

1. step: role-play your actor: imagine your situation in the regional context
2. step: use the input received from interviews with real actors
3. step: express yourself and other actors graphically
4. step: express relations between them (simple graphical expression for diverse relations)
5. step: development strategic options – place your ideas within the relations of actors

Delivered: map of actors by individual groups (role played actors) & graphical actor analysis & graphical interaction analysis

Collaborative work: Analysis of the mental maps done by other “actors”

Use mind maps of actors done by groups as an input for production of a joint map

• 4. step: combine into 1 graph: include all relations and options, distinguish consensual, conflict etc. by different colours)

Delivered: joint map of actors

Graphical actor analysis

Analyse mind map with regard to actors: distinguish graphically strength of the actors, resources they have and influence...

• Basic graphic elements
  • The circles represent the primary and key stakeholders who have a direct influence on the project; the size of the circle stands for the degree of influence this stakeholder has in relation to the issue and the change objective. The letter V means that this is a veto player. The squares represent secondary stakeholders who are not directly involved but still (potentially) have an influence.

Graphical interaction analysis

Analyse mind map with regard to interactions: distinguish graphically relations between actors.

• • Intensity of interactions:
    • on the scale strong dependence – no need to interact.
  • Levels of interactions:
    • Use Graz model.
  • Orientation and sign (+, -) of interactions
    • Who supports (+) or harms (-) whom expressed as orientation of --->
• Basic graphic elements
  • Solid lines symbolise close relationships in terms of information exchange, frequency of contact, compatibility of interests, coordination, mutual trust, etc. Dotted lines symbolise weak or informal relationships. The question mark is added if the relationship is unclear. Tramlines symbolise alliances and cooperation that are organised contractually or institutionally. Arrows symbolise the direction of relationships of dominance. Solid lines crossed by a bolt of lightning symbolise tensions, clashes of interest and conflict-laden relationships. Short lines crossing a solid line symbolise relationships that have broken down either temporarily or irreparably.

Graphical analysis of conflicts

• Colour
  • Different colours where perceived differently by stakeholders (conflict)