What is the purpose of stakeholder mapping?

Stakeholder mapping serves a critical purpose in the realm of project management and organizational strategy, primarily focusing on identifying and classifying stakeholders by their influence and interest. This process is essential for understanding how various parties can impact a project or an organization's success.

By categorizing stakeholders based on their levels of influence and interest, organizations can prioritize communication and engagement strategies. This allows project managers and decision-makers to address the concerns of highly influential stakeholders while ensuring that those with high interest are kept adequately informed and engaged. Effective stakeholder mapping helps in building alliances, mitigating resistance, and ultimately fostering a collaborative environment that can lead to successful project outcomes.

The other options are focused on specific financial or market analysis aspects, which do not align with the primary aim of stakeholder mapping. The emphasis is on understanding relationships and dynamics within a project rather than assessing financial viability, market demand, or investment risks. Thus, identifying and classifying stakeholders is a foundational exercise that informs broader strategic decisions and engagement practices.