Stakeholder Mapping
4
RACI Roles
Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed
2×2
The Grid
Power versus interest
1
Accountable
Per task, only one
plot stakeholders to plan attention
Power-Interest Grid
Vertical = power over the project. Horizontal = interest in it. Where the dot lands determines your engagement strategy.
Keep Satisfied
high P · low I
Manage Closely
high P · high I
Monitor
low P · low I
Keep Informed
low P · high I
one A per row, no exceptions
RACI Builder
Sample task: launching a new performance review cycle.
| Task | HR Manager | VP People | Line Mgrs | CEO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design rating scale | R | A | C | I |
| Train managers | R | A | C | I |
| Calibrate ratings | R | C | A | I |
| Communicate to staff | C | A | R | I |
R
Responsible
does the work
A
Accountable
one per row
C
Consulted
two-way input
I
Informed
one-way notice
Exam Traps
Only ONE Accountable per task
Two A's on the same row equals no one. The exam tests this rule directly. Watch for charts with double accountability.
Consulted is two-way, Informed is one-way
Consulted means input flows back and forth. Informed means told after the fact. Candidates regularly flip them.
Keep Satisfied is high-power LOW-interest
Not high-high. The high-high cell is Manage Closely. Keep Satisfied is the executive who cares about outcomes but not details.
Power-Interest is about attention, not permission
The grid tells you HOW MUCH to engage each stakeholder. Not who has authority over the project.
Two A's = no A
RACI breaks the moment two leaders share final sign-off. Force one Accountable per task.
Manage Closely lives top-right
High power AND high interest goes in the upper-right of the Power-Interest Grid. That is where you spend the most attention.
Bride is Accountable. Wedding planner is Responsible (places the order). Groom is Consulted (flavor input). Mother-in-law is Informed (told after).
Bride is High Power High Interest — manage closely. Venue CEO is High Power Low Interest — keep satisfied. College roommate is Low Power High Interest — keep informed. Vendor AP clerk is Low Power Low Interest — monitor.
The cake never gets ordered. Or it gets ordered twice. Force one Accountable per task before work starts.
You either annoy the mother-in-law with too many decisions (treating I as C) or skip the groom on flavor (treating C as I). Both are RACI failures.
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