Activity: Stakeholder Affinity Diagram
For larger groups, and especially colleagues working on different but related programs, an additional level of analysis of stakeholders can be useful. In order to produce an affinity diagram, in which like stakeholders are located near similar stakeholders across program lines, each program/participant will need to make a copy of each of the stakeholders they brainstormed for their individual map. This can be done with index cards if you are using a sticky wall, or sticky notes if you are not. When each program has a copy of their stakeholders in hand, ask them to place them on the wall near their peers’ similar/common stakeholders. Rather than taking turns in a formal sense, participants should just add their items as they find a place to do so. It is important to allow participants to use their own criteria for similarity so that affinity clusters develop organically. When the diagram is complete, participants should reflect on and discuss the process and what they noticed as well as assign identifiers or titles to the clusters that have developed. This may help them identify key stakeholders on their own diagrams and additional stakeholders they had not previously recognized.