Influence/Impact Grid
The influence/impact grid is a stakeholder classification model that groups stakeholders based on their active involvement (influence) in the project and their ability to effect changes to the project planning or execution (impact).
Explanation
The influence/impact grid plots stakeholders along two dimensions: their influence (ability to affect project decisions) and their impact (ability to cause changes to the project's plan, scope, schedule, or budget). This model highlights stakeholders who can both influence decisions and directly change project outcomes.
Stakeholders with high influence and high impact require particularly careful management because they can both shape decisions and alter project execution. Those with high influence but low impact may affect perceptions and politics without directly changing deliverables. Conversely, stakeholders with high impact but low influence may be affected by project outcomes without having a voice in decisions.
This grid is used during stakeholder analysis alongside other classification models. It is particularly useful when the project manager needs to understand which stakeholders can cause the most disruption if not properly engaged.
Key Points
- •Axes represent influence (involvement in decisions) and impact (ability to change project outcomes)
- •Identifies stakeholders who can both shape decisions and alter execution
- •Useful for understanding potential disruption risk
- •Complements power-based classification models
Exam Tip
Understand the subtle difference between influence (ability to affect decisions) and impact (ability to cause changes). Exam questions may test whether you can distinguish these concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Power/Interest Grid
The power/interest grid is a stakeholder classification model that groups stakeholders based on their level of authority (power) and their level of concern (interest) regarding project outcomes.
Power/Influence Grid
The power/influence grid is a stakeholder classification model that groups stakeholders based on their level of authority (power) and their active involvement or ability to affect the project (influence).
Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder analysis is a technique for systematically gathering and analyzing quantitative and qualitative information to determine whose interests should be taken into account throughout the project.
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